Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     Members of the public are advised to report any street flooding that comes to their notice to the Drainage Services Department by calling the 24-hour drainage hotline on 2300 1110.

     The Commissioner of Police, Mr Lo Wai-chung, tonight (August 25) visited and expressed concern for several injured police officers in Princess Margaret Hospital. The officers sustained injuries after being recklessly attacked by rioters while they were on duty in Tsuen Wan earlier today. Mr Lo was saddened that the officers sustained serious injuries while on duty.
      
     Mr Lo expressed strong anger and condemnation against the reckless, violent and unlawful acts committed by the rioters. The Police Force will strive to investigate all violent acts that have caused serious and even life-threatening injuries.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 25) reported a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), 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. The case is detailed below:
 

     Separately, the CHP reported that the suspected MERS case pending results yesterday (August 24), upon preliminary testing, tested negative for MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
 
     "Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise 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," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Locally, the CHP's surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed fever or lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for 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 pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization'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 Department of Health has announced that owing to the situation in Tsuen Wan, the Lady Trench Methadone Clinic was closed at 6pm today (August 25). Those who have been receiving methadone treatment there can receive their daily dose at other methadone clinics.
 
     Please visit the following website for the information of methadone clinics: https://www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_mc.html
 

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 5.9 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $7.6 million at the Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (August 24).

     A male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Taiwan yesterday morning. During customs clearance, the suspected cocaine was found being concealed inside six photo albums. The man was then arrested.

     The arrested man, aged 22, has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 26).

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).