Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 20) received a report of a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection in a girl who had not yet received the seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV). She is still hospitalised and in critical condition. The CHP urged the public who have not yet received the SIV to act immediately to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.
           
     “A 14 year-old girl living in a boarding section of a special school developed fever and malaise since January 8 and consulted a private doctor on January 10. She started to have confused speech on January 15. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Caritas Medical Centre on January 17 and was admitted immediately. Her condition deteriorated on January 19 and she was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment. Her nasopharyngeal swab specimen was tested positive for influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with encephalopathy,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     The girl has underlying illnesses and did not travel during the incubation period. There has been no recent outbreak in her school. Her household contacts, so far, are asymptomatic. Initial investigation revealed that she did not receive 2024/2025 seasonal influenza vaccination. The CHP reiterated its call to the parents to bring their children to receive SIV as soon as possible.
           
     “Influenza vaccination has been scientifically proven to be one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, while significantly reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death from seasonal influenza. All persons aged six months and above (except those with known contraindications) who have not yet received the SIV should act immediately, particularly the elderly and children who have higher risk to get infected with influenza and other complications,” the spokesman said.
           
     The spokesman reminded the public that Hong Kong has entered the influenza season. As the seasonal influenza activity is expected to increase further while the activity of other respiratory infectious diseases may also increase. To protect their health and that of their family members, the public should not only receive SIV, but also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, and take the following measures to prevent contacting influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
 

• Wear surgical masks to prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• High-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised) should wear surgical masks when visiting public places. The general public should also wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one’s eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, consider whether to go to work or school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     For the latest information, members of the public can visit the CHP’s seasonal influenza and COVID-19 & Flu Express webpages.  read more

     With the Lunar New Year approaching, the Centre for Food Safety and the Environmental Hygiene Branch of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) have jointly stepped up inspections of food premises to protect f… read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:        The Legislative Council Subcommittee on Matters Relating to the Development of Smart City visited Fairview Park in Yuen Long today (January 20) to ob… read more

     The Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairperson of the Commission on Children (CoC), Mr Chan Kwok-ki, hosted the Launching Ceremony of the Child Protection Campaign at Victoria House today (January 20). The Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance will come into effect on January 20 next year. The event marked the one-year countdown to the commencement of the Ordinance and demonstrated the Government’s determination to team up with relevant professional sectors and members of society to safeguard the well-being of children, and promote the message of “child protection is the responsibility of all” to members of the public.

     In his welcoming remarks, Mr Chan said that the healthy growth, development and well-being of children rely not only on family nurturing and school education, but also on the collaborative efforts of the Government and all sectors of society. The Legislative Council passed the Ordinance in July last year, marking an important milestone of Hong Kong’s efforts on child protection. Upon the commencement of the Ordinance, specified professionals in the social welfare, education and healthcare sectors are required to report serious child abuse cases for the purpose of early identification and intervention, thereby strengthening the efforts of child protection.

     Mr Chan added that to complement the commencement of the Ordinance, the Government is actively preparing, together with the sectors, for the implementation of the mandatory reporting regime. These include the provision of training for mandated reporters, formulation of the Mandated Reporter Guide, an increase of emergency places for residential child care, and enhancement of professional support for child abuse victims and their families with a view to ensuring that the various support measures are properly put in place upon the commencement of the Ordinance. That way, the mandated reporters can discharge their statutory duties and children and families in need can receive appropriate and timely care. At the same time, the Government will strengthen the prevention of child abuse at the source. The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address the setting up of four Community Parents and Children Centres on a pilot basis with a view to commencing operations progressively starting from 2026. These centres will promote parent-child interaction through play-based services, instil positive parenting skills in parents, render support for families with parenting needs, and refer families in need to various appropriate services of the Government and the community.

     Following the launch of the Child Protection Campaign today, the Government will roll out a series of activities in phases. These include hosting seminars for relevant professions, promulgating the Mandated Reporter Guide and launching Module 2 of the Child Protection Online Training. The CoC will also hold public and stakeholder engagement activities. Mr Chan urged professionals and all sectors of society to actively support and participate in promoting the mandatory reporting regime for child abuse and the messages for child protection, and work closely with the Government to create a comprehensive and effective safety net for children.

     Mr Chan also officiated at a pledging ceremony and witnessed children present potted seedlings to professionals from 25 specified categories including those in the social welfare, education, and healthcare sectors. This symbolised the commitment of the professionals to protect children and promote their healthy and happy growth. Attendees joining the launching ceremony and the pledging session included the Vice-chairperson of the CoC and Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee; the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee; the Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung; the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai; the Deputy Director of Social Welfare (Services), Mr Alex Wong; and the Consultant Community Medicine (Family and Student Health) of the Department of Health, Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan.

     The launching ceremony was one of the stakeholder engagement activities of the CoC, with around 100 participants present, including children, Legislative Council Members, professionals from the social welfare, education, and healthcare sectors, as well as stakeholders closely related to children’s welfare. The Convenor and Vice-convenor of the Working Group on Child Protection of the CoC, Ms Kathy Chung and Dr Rizwan Ullah respectively, together with two children, provided a briefing at the ceremony on the Child Protection Campaign, the key points of the Ordinance and relevant support measures, as well as the work on child protection of the CoC.

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