The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 25) investigating an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection (URI) at a residential child care centre in Causeway Bay, as well as an influenza B outbreak at a kindergarten in Yuen Long, 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 URI outbreak affected 11 boys and 10 girls, aged 2 months to 34 months, who have developed fever, cough and runny nose since June 16. All of them sought medical attention. Among them, six required hospitalisation and four of them were discharged following treatment. All patients have been in a stable condition. The respiratory specimens of five children admitted to hospital tested positive for parainfluenza virus type 1 upon laboratory testing.
 
     The influenza B outbreak involves 12 boys and 10 girls, aged 3 to 6, who have developed fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat since June 11. Among them, 20 sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. All are in a stable condition. The respiratory specimen of one child tested positive for influenza B upon laboratory testing.

     Officers of the CHP have conducted site visits to the two institutions and advised them to adopt necessary infection control measures against respiratory tract infections. The institutions have 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 added.

     Besides receiving seasonal influenza vaccination, the public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
 

• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
• Put on a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places; high-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks when staying in such places; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     Members of the public, particularly children, the elderly and those with chronic diseases, should wear a face mask and consult a doctor promptly if they develop symptoms of respiratory tract infection.

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, this afternoon (June 25) visited Sai Kung District, where he called at an elderly centre, visited a renovation project for a community facility and met with members of the Sai Kung District Council (SKDC).

     Accompanied by the Chairman of the SKDC, Mr George Ng, and the District Officer (Sai Kung), Mr David Chiu, Mr Chan visited Caritas Elderly Centre – Sai Kung to learn about its services and operation. Last year ,the centre received funding support from the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) to launch the "You Net! I Net!" Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Outreach Programme for the Elderly. With support from professional social workers and volunteers, dementia patients and "hidden" elderly persons can receive encouragement and assistance in adopting ICT to broaden their social circles, build up their self-confidence and integrate into the community.
     
     Mr Chan said that, to cope with the ageing population and to encourage wider adoption of ICT among the elderly, the Government launched the ICT Outreach Programme to support projects to improve access, knowledge, skills and receptiveness on the use of ICT among elderly people. The ICT Outreach Programme has been regularised from 2018-19 onwards. In addition, the OGCIO launched the Enriched ICT Training Programme for the Elderly in February this year to promote digital inclusion among the elderly at different levels and serve more senior citizens.

     Mr Chan then visited the renovation project of Sai Kung Jockey Club Town Hall. In the 2018-19 Budget, $8 billion was assigned to improve facilities in 18 districts. The renovation work is the designated project for Sai Kung District under the scheme. The project is expected to complete by the first quarter of 2020.

     Before concluding his visit, Mr Chan met with members of the SKDC to exchange views on various livelihood and development issues in the district.

            

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, at a media session after attending the meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Development today (June 25):
 
Reporter: Secretary, you said more time is needed. Why do you guys need more time? And, are you concerned that this might affect the land and flats supply? Talking about Lantau Tomorrow Vision, do you still wish the LegCo to pass the Lantau Tomorrow Vision before the summer break?
 
Secretary for Development: For the Land Sharing Pilot Scheme, we are looking at many details. With development's reasons, more time may be needed. So our original schedule of looking at a submission to the Chief Executive in June or July, it might have to be adjusted. We are still looking at the details. So give us a bit more time. We will make an announcement when we are ready. On the study relating to the reclamation of Kau Yi Chau, at the moment it is at the end of the queue in front of the Finance Committee. This is something natural, because there are some 20 projects ahead of this item (including those) that have been discussed by the Public Works Subcommittee. We understand that it may mean that the Legislative Council (LegCo) would not be able to finish the scrutiny for this item before summer. If this is the case, we will accept it. If there is a chance to discuss it before summer, we are also happy to see it.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on patients confirmed to be Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) carriers in a male medical ward, the spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) gave the following update today (June 25):
 
     One more 82-year-old male patient in the ward has been confirmed to be a CPE carrier through active screening without clinical symptoms. The patient has been transferred to another hospital and is being treated under isolation with stable condition.
 
     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation and adopt the enhanced infection control measures in the ward. The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

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 Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited on fraudulent website, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.

     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the website concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the website should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.