Police today (February 3) appealed to the public for information on a girl who went missing in Kwai Chung.
 
     Lau Man-ying, aged 13, went missing after she left her residence in Kwai Luen Estate on February 1 afternoon. Her family made a report to Police yesterday (February 2).
       
     She is about 1.6 metres tall, 63 kilograms in weight and of fat build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and short straight black hair. She was last seen wearing a pair of glasses, a white school uniform, black trousers, and carrying a black rucksack.
 
     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing girl or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1176 or 9689 7445 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (February 3) closely monitoring two additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit.
 
     According to the WHO, the cases involved a 51-year-old male with good past health and a 53-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in the UAE. Before the onset of symptoms, both patients had a history of close contact with camels.
 
     According to the WHO, the UAE has reported 91 MERS cases (including the patients reported above) since 2012, among which 12 patients had passed away.

     "We will maintain close communication with the WHO and relevant health authorities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "As countries in the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, continue to report MERS cases from time to time, travellers should refrain from going to farms, barns or markets with camels and avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry. Most of the cases reported in the Middle East had a history of exposure to camels, consumption of camel milk or contact with other MERS patients," the spokesman said.

     "Scientific evidence shows that camels are reservoirs for MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Camels infected with MERS-CoV may not show any signs of infection. Infected animals may shed MERS-CoV through nasal and eye discharge and faeces, and potentially in their milk and urine. The virus may also be found in the raw organs and meat of infected animals. Therefore, the best protection is to practise good hygiene and avoid direct contact with all of these," the spokesman added.
 
     From time to time, suspected MERS cases reported to the CHP for investigation involve patients with a history of contact with camels in the Middle East. The CHP strongly advises travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS page of the CHP and its Travel Health Service to learn more about MERS statistics in affected areas. The public should also refer to the CHP's Facebook page, YouTube channel and the WHO's latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following update today (February 3) regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of inpatients with Influenza A in a medical and geriatric ward of the Lai King Building.
 
     A 72-year-old male patient in the ward is confirmed to have Influenza A. He is under medical surveillance and is being kept in isolation with serious condition.
 
     PMH will continue its enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward. The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow up.

     To tie in with the raising of the response level under the Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance to the Emergency Response Level and to prevent people from gathering, the Labour Department announced today (February 3) that the following public talks at the respective venues have been cancelled. Enrolled participants will be informed of the cancellations.
 
February 6: "Work & Healthy Lifestyle" (Activity Room 1, G/F, Hong Kong Central Library)
 
February 17: "Occupational Health Series for Office Workers (I): Health Hints on the Use of Computer"   (Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum)
 
February 20: "Prevention of Upper Limb Disorders" (Activity Room 1, G/F, Hong Kong Central Library)
 
February 26: "Infection Control in the Workplace" (Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum) 
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     As at noon today (February 3), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health (DH) the admission of 36 patients (19 male and 17 female, aged 5 months to 70) in the past 24 hours who met the reporting criteria of severe respiratory disease associated with a novel infectious agent. Specimens of the patients concerned have been sent for testing. There are still 76 patients under isolation.
 
     The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.