The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, will deliver the 2019-20 Budget at the Legislative Council at 11am tomorrow (February 27). The full text of the Budget Speech and other related documents will also be released simulta… read more
A total of 624 additional cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection were reported to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) in 2018, compared with 681 in 2017.
Reviewing the HIV/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) situation in Hong Kong at a press conference today (February 26), the Consultant (Special Preventive Programme) of the CHP, Dr Kenny Chan, said that sexual transmission remained the major mode of HIV transmission.
Dr Chan stressed the importance of consistent and proper use of condoms in reducing the risk of contracting HIV.
“HIV is the cause of AIDS and, without treatment, about half of HIV-infected people will progress to AIDS within 10 years. On the contrary, HIV treatment prevents AIDS and significantly prolongs survival,” he remarked.
“Members of the public with a history of unsafe sex should take an HIV antibody test early. They can call the DH’s AIDS Hotline (2780 2211) for a free, anonymous and confidential HIV test. HIV-positive people should seek specialist care as soon as possible,” Dr Chan said.
Of the 624 newly added HIV cases, 530 males and 94 females, reported in 2018, 363 (58 per cent) acquired the infection via homosexual or bisexual contact, 138 (22 per cent) via heterosexual contact, and three (0.5 per cent) via drug injection. The routes of transmission of the remaining 120 cases have yet to be determined due to inadequate information.
In the fourth quarter of 2018, 172 new cases of HIV infection were reported, taking the cumulative total of HIV infections reported locally to 9 715 since 1984.
Of the 172 HIV cases, involving 148 males and 24 females, reported in the above quarter, 96 acquired the infection via homosexual or bisexual contact and 33 via heterosexual contact and two via drug injection. The routes of transmission of the remaining 41 cases have yet to be determined due to inadequate information.
The new cases of the above quarter were mainly reported by three major sources: public hospitals and clinics (80 cases); private hospitals, clinics and laboratories (30 cases); and AIDS service organisations (25 cases).
Of the newly reported cases in the above quarter, 128 of them (74 per cent) have already received HIV specialist services at the DH or the Hospital Authority.
In addition, 37 new cases of AIDS were reported in the above quarter, of which 19 cases (51 per cent) were attributed to homosexual or bisexual contact and 13 cases (35 per cent) were related to heterosexual contact. Since 1985, a cumulative total of 1 996 confirmed AIDS cases have been reported in Hong Kong.
In the above quarter, the most common AIDS-defining illness was Pneumocystis pneumonia, a kind of chest infection.
The public may visit these pages for more information on HIV/AIDS: the DH’s Virtual AIDS Office (www.aids.gov.hk), the Red Ribbon Centre (www.rrc.gov.hk), the AIDS Hotline website (www.27802211.com) and the Gay Men HIV Information website (www.21171069.com).
China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited (CSCE) was caught illegally discharging substandard wastewater into the communal storm drain at its construction site on Ma On Shan Road. The company was fined $20,000 by Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (February 26) for contravening the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO).
A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that during an inspection at a construction site of CSCE on Ma On Shan Road in June last year, the enforcement officers found that muddy water was generated when a worker of the site was washing the wheels of construction vehicles. The muddy water was not properly treated before being discharged directly into the storm drain outside the site. The EPD then collected a muddy water sample for analysis, and the result showed that the concentration of the suspended solids greatly exceeded the statutory limit by about 123 times. The department subsequently prosecuted CSCE in accordance with the WPCO.
The spokesman pointed out that all construction site contractors must install suitable wastewater treatment facilities to collect and treat the wastewater generated in the construction sites. They also have to maintain the effective operation of the facilities to ensure that all discharges meet the relevant standards and prevent them from polluting the river channels, sewers or shorelines.
Under the WPCO, it is an offence for anyone to discharge wastewater into the communal drainage system or a water body. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment. A maximum fine of $400,000 and six months’ imprisonment may be imposed on subsequent convictions. read more
Hongkong Post announced today (February 26) that, as advised by the postal administration of Australia, mail delivery services to Queensland (postcodes 4804 to 4899) have returned to normal. read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rate in public hos… read more