Hong Kong Customs seized a total of about 750 grams of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $820,000 from two passengers arriving at Hong Kong International Airport on July 9.
 
     A 42-year-old male passenger and a 33-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on July 9. They were found to be suspicious upon customs clearance and were escorted to hospital for examination. Both passengers were suspected to have dangerous drugs concealed inside their body cavities. Subsequently, the woman discharged the batch of suspected cocaine. They were arrested.

     The arrested man and woman have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively. The case will be brought up at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 12).
 
     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.
 
     Member 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).

  

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 11) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza B infection and an influenza A outbreak at a kindergarten in Kwai Chung, and reminded members of the public who have not yet received seasonal influenza vaccination in the 2018-19 season that they can still receive it for personal protection against seasonal influenza.

     The severe paediatric case involves a 4-year-old girl with good past health, who has presented with fever, vomiting and shortness of breath since July 8. She was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital for medical attention on July 10 and was admitted for management. She was subsequently transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of the hospital for further management on the same day.

     Her respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza B virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza B infection complicated with encephalopathy. She is now in a serious condition.
 
     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had not received seasonal influenza vaccination for the current season and had no travel history during the incubation period. Her home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far.
 
     The influenza A outbreak at a kindergarten in Kwai Chung affected 11 boys and nine girls aged 4 to 6, who developed fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat since June 29. Among them, 18 sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. All are in a stable condition. The respiratory specimen of one child tested positive for influenza A upon laboratory testing.

     Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit and advised the school to adopt infection control measures against respiratory tract infections. The school has been placed under medical surveillance.

     A spokesman for the CHP said, "To prevent outbreaks of influenza and other respiratory infections, it is of prime importance that students with fever, regardless of the presence of respiratory symptoms, should not be allowed to attend school. They should seek medical advice and avoid school till 48 hours after the fever has subsided. Schools should also measure and record students' body temperature properly."

     Schools are reminded to follow the Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases on preventive and control measures as well as management of outbreaks, which should be reported to the CHP for prompt follow-up.

     "The latest surveillance data showed that the local seasonal influenza activity in the past few weeks was higher than that in early May. Members of the public aged 6 months or above (except those with known contraindications) who have not yet received seasonal influenza vaccination in the 2018-19 season can still receive it for personal protection against seasonal influenza," the spokesman said.

     "Meanwhile, the public should continue to adopt strict personal, hand and environmental hygiene practices against respiratory illnesses and other infectious diseases," the spokesman added.

     The public may visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly Flu Express for more information.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Tseung Kwan O Hospital made the following announcement today (July 11):
 
     Six male patients (aged 52 to 86) and two staff members in a medical ward presented with upper respiratory tract symptoms since July 5. Virological tests were positive for Influenza A. Two of the patients have recovered and been discharged; the other four patients, who are being treated under isolation, are in stable condition. One staff member has recovered and resumed duty, while the other is still on sick leave.
 
     Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to the established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (July 11) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza in the State of Guanajuato in Mexico, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong has currently established a protocol with Mexico for import of poultry meat but not for poultry eggs. In the first three months of this year, no poultry meat from Mexico was imported into Hong Kong according to the Census and Statistics Department.

     "The CFS has contacted the Mexican authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate actions will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

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

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 11) that Tsing Yi Southwest Swimming Pool in Kwai Tsing District has been temporarily closed for cleaning and superchlorination following the discovery of a small amount of vomit in the pool.

     It will be reopened at 8.55pm today.

     The department appeals to swimmers to be considerate and to keep the swimming pools clean. They are advised not to swim after a full meal and should use the toilet facilities if necessary before swimming.