The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) has established a policy to help ensure blood safety. BTS continually reviews blood donation arrangements for donors who have returned from areas with potential risks of infectious diseases. In response to the situation in relation to the novel coronavirus infection, the spokesperson for BTS today (February 4) announced the following precautionary measures to be implemented with immediate effect:
 
 * Members of the public who have recently visited the Mainland should be deferred from blood donations for 28 days from their date of departure;
 * Members of the public who have had close contact with a confirmed case of novel coronavirus infection while that patient was symptomatic should be deferred from blood donations for 28 days; and
 * Members of the public with a confirmed novel coronavirus infection will be deferred from blood donations for 180 days after their complete recovery.
 
      The spokesperson said that having considered the situation cautiously, while balancing the risk of blood safety, the Hospital Authority (BTS) Expert Panel on Blood and Blood Products Safety revised the arrangement. The expert panel remains vigilant and works closely with relevant departments to monitor the latest developments and enact timely reviews of related measures. Meanwhile, all blood donors are reminded that if they develop symptoms such as fever, respiratory tract infection or pneumonia after their blood donation, they should seek medical advice and inform the BTS healthcare staff as soon as possible (during office hours: 2710 1201/ 2710 1243/2710 1298; outside office hours: 2710 1210/2710 1234).

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (February 4) that in view of notifications from the General Veterinary Inspectorate of Poland about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza in the WolsztyÅ„ski District of Wielkopolskie and the Raciborski District of ÅšlÄ…skie in Poland, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products, including poultry eggs, from these areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong imported about 17,720 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and 34.26 million poultry eggs from Poland last year, according to the Census and Statistics Department.

      "The CFS has contacted the Polish authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the World Organisation for Animal Health and the relevant authorities on avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

     Hongkong Post announced today (February 4) that, as advised by the postal administration of Indonesia, to meet the customs clearance requirements of the local customs authority, all mail delivery services (including Speedpost) to Indonesia are subject to delay.

     The Department of Health (DH) today (February 4) announced that following its earlier announcements on service adjustments in response to the latest developments of the novel coronavirus infection, its social hygiene services will also be adjusted starting tomorrow (February 5).
 
     Yau Ma Tei Female Social Hygiene Clinic and the social hygiene service of Chai Wan Social Hygiene Clinic will be suspended starting tomorrow until further notice. Patients in need could attend other social hygiene clinics.
 
     The evening service of Yau Ma Tei Male Social Hygiene Clinic (which provides service on Tuesdays) will also be suspended starting tomorrow until further notice. Patients concerned could attend the clinic during the daytime opening hours if needed.
 
     The DH will also make separate arrangements for affected users with prior appointments. Other social hygiene clinics and opening hours will remain as usual.
 
     Please visit the following websites for the information on social hygiene clinics:
 
     Male: www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcm.html; and
     Female: www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcf.html.

     Police today (February 4) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Mong Kok.

     Cheng Lo, aged 45, went missing after she left her residence on Shanghai Street on February 1 night. Her boyfriend made a report to Police yesterday (February 3).
         
     She is about 1.6 metres tall, 48 kilograms in weight and of medium build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and long black hair.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8037, 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.