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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (August 20) investigating a case of measles infection.
 
     The case involves a 42-year-old woman with good past health, who has developed a fever since August 12 and rash since August 15. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on August 16 for medical attention.

     Her blood sample tested positive for immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to measles virus upon laboratory testing. She is in a stable condition. The patient’s measles vaccination history is unknown. She had no travel history during the incubation period and the communicable period.

     According to the patient, she did not have contact with measles patients during the incubation period. Her son had developed fever and rash in late July while her daughter had developed similar symptoms in early August. Both of them had sought medical advice from a general practitioner and had recovered. Her other home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far and have been put under medical surveillance.

     Upon notification of the case, the CHP immediately commenced epidemiological investigations and conducted relevant contact tracing. Investigations are ongoing. The public places the patient visited during the communicable period are listed in the appendix.

     A spokesman for the DH said, “Those who might have had contact with the patient during the period of communicability are urged to observe if they have developed measles-related symptoms, and to seek medical treatment immediately if such symptoms appear. If they need to visit any health care facilities during the period of medical surveillance, they should also report whether they have symptoms and prior measles exposure history to the healthcare workers so that appropriate infection control measures can be implemented at the healthcare facilities concerned to prevent any potential spread.”

     The spokesman explained that measles is a highly infectious disease caused by the measles virus. It can be transmitted by airborne droplets or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons, and, less commonly, by articles soiled with nose and throat secretions. A patient can pass the disease to other persons from four days before to four days after the appearance of skin rash.

     “The incubation period (the period from infection to appearance of illness) of measles ranges from seven days to 21 days. Symptoms of measles include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If symptoms arise, members of the public should wear surgical masks, stop going to work or school and avoid going to crowded places. They should also avoid contact with non-immune persons, especially persons with weakened immunity, pregnant women and children aged below 1. Those suspected to have been infected are advised to seek medical attention as early as possible and reveal relevant contact history of measles to healthcare professionals,” the spokesman advised. 

     “Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. Members of the public who are planning to travel to places with high incidence or outbreaks of measles should review their vaccination history and past medical history, especially people born outside Hong Kong who might not have received measles vaccination during childhood. The history of measles vaccination in Hong Kong is available in the CHP’s measles thematic page. Those who have not received two doses of measles-containing vaccines, with unknown vaccination history or unknown immunity against measles are urged to consult their doctor for advice on vaccination at least two weeks before departure,” the spokesman said.
 
     Besides being vaccinated against measles, members of the public should take the following measures to prevent infection:
 

• Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly;
• Wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly;
• Clean used toys and furniture properly; and
• Persons with measles should be kept out of school till four days from the appearance of a rash to prevent spread of the infection to non-immune persons in school.

     For more information on measles, the public may call the 24-hour health education hotline 2833 0111 or visit the CHP’s measles thematic page. For news of measles outbreaks outside Hong Kong or the latest travel health advice, please visit the website of the DH’s Travel Health Service.  read more

     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has accepted the advice of the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee and approved from the Disaster Relief Fund a grant of $3.009 million to Amity Foundation, Hong Kong… read more

     Hongkong Post announced today (August 20) that air mail services (including letters and parcels) to Afghanistan have returned to normal with immediate effect. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:        The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking C… read more

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (August 20) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for July 2019. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 3.3% in July 2019 over the same month a year earlier, remaining virtually unchanged as compared to June 2019. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rate of increase in the Composite CPI (i.e. the underlying inflation rate) in July 2019 also remained virtually unchanged at 3.2% as compared to June 2019.

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the three-month period ending July 2019 was 0.3%, and that for the three-month period ending June 2019 was 0.5%. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the corresponding rates of increase were 0.3% and 0.4%.

     Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 3.9%, 3.1% and 2.8% respectively in July 2019, as compared to 3.9%, 3.0% and 2.9% respectively in June 2019. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 4.0%, 3.0% and 2.7% respectively in July 2019, as compared to 4.0%, 2.9% and 2.8% respectively in June 2019.

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the three-month period ending July 2019, the average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 0.5%, 0.3% and 0.2% respectively. The corresponding rates of increase for the three-month period ending June 2019 were 0.6%, 0.5% and 0.4% respectively. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the corresponding average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) for the three-month period ending July 2019 were 0.5%, 0.3% and 0.2% respectively, and the corresponding rates of increase for the three-month period ending June 2019 were 0.6%, 0.4% and 0.3% respectively.

     Amongst the various components of the Composite CPI, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in July 2019 for food (excluding meals bought away from home) (12.8%), housing (4.0%), miscellaneous goods (2.7%), alcoholic drinks and tobacco (2.4%), meals bought away from home (2.2%), transport (1.9%) and miscellaneous services (1.4%).

     On the other hand, year-on-year decreases in the components of the Composite CPI were recorded in July 2019 for electricity, gas and water (-5.9%); clothing and footwear (-2.0%) as well as durable goods (-1.2%).

     Taking the first seven months of 2019 together, the Composite CPI rose by 2.7% over a year earlier. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 3.1%, 2.5% and 2.5% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 2.9%, 3.4%, 2.7% and 2.5% respectively.

     For the three months ending July 2019, the Composite CPI rose by 3.1% over a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 3.6%, 2.9% and 2.8% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 3.1%, 3.7%, 2.8% and 2.6% respectively.

     For the 12 months ending July 2019, the Composite CPI was on average 2.6% higher than that in the preceding 12-month period. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 3.1%, 2.5% and 2.4% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 2.9%, 3.4%, 2.8% and 2.5% respectively.

Commentary

     A Government spokesman said that the underlying consumer price inflation rate held stable at 3.2% in July. While pork prices showed an enlarged increase amid disruptions to the supply of fresh pork, the effect was offset by the narrower increase in charges for package tours. Price pressures on other major consumer price index components stayed largely moderate.

     Looking ahead, overall price pressures should remain largely contained in the near term amid the earlier easing in fresh-letting residential rentals, modest global inflation and subdued local economic conditions. Yet, the inflation rate in the next few months will hinge on the supply situation and thus prices of fresh pork. The Government will continue to monitor the inflation situation closely, particularly the impact on the lower-income people.

Further information

     The CPIs and year-on-year rates of change at section level for July 2019 are shown in Table 1. The time series on the year-on-year rates of change in the CPIs before and after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures are shown in Table 2. For discerning the latest trend in consumer prices, it is also useful to look at the changes in the seasonally adjusted CPIs. The corresponding time series on the average monthly rates of change during the latest three months for the seasonally adjusted CPIs are shown in Table 3. The rates of change in the original and the seasonally adjusted Composite CPI and the underlying inflation rate are presented graphically in Chart 1.

     More detailed CPI data (including year-on-year comparison, month-to-month comparison, seasonally adjusted data series and the CPIs by the Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP)) are available in the monthly reports. Users can download the July 2019 issue of the “Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index” (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=B1060001), the time series of CPIs at detailed level (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=D5600001), the time series of CPIs at COICOP division level (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=D5600002) and the time series of CPIs after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=D5600003) free of charge at the website of the C&SD.

     For enquiries about the CPIs, please contact the Consumer Price Index Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7374 or email: cpi@censtatd.gov.hk). read more