Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

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

     Some protestors blocked the entrances of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, causing serious obstruction to the traffic. Some other protestors have removed railings from roads and set barricades at various junctions of Nathan Road, seriously obstructing traffic. Their behaviours have already paralysed the traffic and seriously affected emergency services.

     Police appeal to protestors to stop their illegal acts like obstruction and respect other people’s rights while expressing their views.

     Other members of the public should avoid travelling to the area and stay tuned to the latest situation.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     In light of mass gathering activities in Mong Kok today (August 3), the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) announces that the Mongkok Donor Centre, located at Chow Tai Fook Centre, Nathan Road, Mong Kok is closed at 5pm today. Blood donors can choose other donor centres. Please visit BTS website www5.ha.org.hk/rcbts/enindex.asp for details.

     Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

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

     Due to the serious obstruction in the vicinity of Nathan Road, the Report Room services of Yau Ma Tei Police Station and Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station are now temporarily suspended. Police appeal to members of the public not to obstruct the emergency vehicles access so as to avoid affecting the emergency services provided to the public. In case of emergency, please call 999.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 3) investigating a case of suspected food poisoning, and hence reminded the public to beware of vegetables containing calcium oxalate raphide.

     The female patient, aged 61, developed numbness and swelling over tongue and lips, vomiting and epigastric pain shortly after consuming a wild taro at home yesterday (August 2). She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of North District Hospital on the same day and was admitted for further management subsequently. She is now in a stable condition. The clinical diagnosis was suspected calcium oxalate raphide poisoning.

     Initial investigations revealed that the wild taro the patient had consumed was picked near Siu Hang San Tsuen in Fanling. The CHP's investigation is ongoing.

     Taro is a popular ingredient used to prepare various dishes and desserts. However, some plants look like taro but contain toxins which can cause food poisoning. Those containing calcium oxalate raphide (a needle-shaped crystal of the chemical) can injure the skin and mucous membranes and cause irritation, such as numbness and burning sensation of the tongue, mouth and lips, and swelling of the tongue and lips. Consumption of vegetables accidentally mixed with calcium oxalate raphide-containing plants may also cause food poisoning.

     Members of the public should:
 

• Not pick and consume wild plants;
• Purchase vegetables from reliable suppliers; and
• Remove any plants mixed with edible vegetables and wash them thoroughly before cooking and consumption.

     The public may visit the pages on Food Poisoning Related to the Giant Alocasia and Calcium Oxalate Food Poisoning of the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for more information and health advice.

     The Immigration Department announces that due to special incidents occurred in Mong Kok, West Kowloon Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre located at 12/F, Gala Place, 56 Dundas Street, Mong Kok has been closed earlier today (August 3) at 4.50pm. Members of the public with appointments may consider proceeding to West Kowloon Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre in the days ahead, or to other eight replacement centres today for registration of identity card. The eight replacement centres will operate until 10pm as normal. Their addresses and telephone numbers are as follows: