Six red tides have been sighted over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (February 8).
 
     One of the red tides was spotted by staff of the Environmental Protection Department on February 1 at Yim Tin Tsai Fish Culture Zone and Plover Cove including Yim Tin Tsai (East) Fish Culture Zone. The red tide has dissipated.
 
     Two of the red tides were spotted by a mariculturist today at Port Shelter including Ma Nam Wat Fish Culture Zone and Silverstrand including Silverstrand Beach, Sai Kung. These two red tides still persist.
 
     The other three red tides were spotted by staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department today at Eastern waters of Lantau Island including Silver Mine Bay Beach and Nim Shue Wan, Pui O Beach and Tong Fuk Beach, Lantau Island. These three red tides still persist.
 
     No associated death of fish has been reported so far in all six red tides.
 
     A spokesman for the working group said, "The two red tides spotted at Port Shelter and Tong Fuk Beach were formed by Akashiwo sanguinea whereas the other four red tides were formed by Noctiluca scintillans. Both species are non-toxic and commonly found in Hong Kong waters."
 
     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Yim Tin Tsai, Yim Tin Tsai (East), Yung Shue Au, Lo Fu Wat, Ma Nam Wat, Kau Sai, Kai Lung Wan, Tai Tau Chau, Leung Shuen Wan and Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.
 
     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (February 8) investigating a suspected outbreak of food poisoning at a premises in Kwai Chung, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

     The outbreak involved 12 males and four females aged 26 to 52 who developed diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever about two to 25 hours after consuming food bought from a restaurant in Kwai Fong at the premises on the night of February 4.

     Seven of them sought medical attention and one required hospitalisation. All the affected persons are in a stable condition.

     "We have alerted the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to the incident and investigations are ongoing," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     To prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
 

• Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hot pot or barbecue meal;
• Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
• Drink boiled water;
• Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
• Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.

     The Department of Health (DH) today (February 8) endorsed a licensed proprietary Chinese medicine (pCm) manufacturer, Wong Tai Chiu Medicine Fty (Wong Tai Chiu), to voluntarily recall from the market one batch (batch number: 0467) of a pCm, namely [Wong Tai Chiu Medicine Fty] Ser Lee Tan (registration number: HKP-07855), as the total aerobic count of that batch of pCm exceeded the microbial limit set out by the Chinese Medicines Board of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMCHK).

     Upon receipt of notification from the Health Bureau of Macao, the DH initiated field investigation immediately and collected samples from Wong Tai Chiu for analysis. Upon testing by the DH's Public Health Laboratory Centre, the result today revealed that the total aerobic count of the aforementioned batch of pCm was found to be 50 000 per gram, which was about 1.7 times the maximum limit set out by the CMCHK.

     Preliminary investigation showed that the batch of pCm concerned was manufactured by Wong Tai Chiu and is indicated for treating diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The batch concerned was entirely exported to Macao and was not distributed in Hong Kong. Wong Tai Chiu has set up a hotline (2395 5439) for public enquiries.

     "So far, no adverse report related to the use of the pCm has been received by the DH. We will closely monitor the recall. Investigation is ongoing," a spokesman for the DH said.
 
     According to section 52 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), selling any drug not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser is liable to a maximum penalty of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment. Upon completion of investigation, the DH will work with the Department of Justice on prosecution matters and will also refer the case to the CMCHK for possible disciplinary action.

     The DH urged members of the public who have purchased the above batch of pCm to stop using it immediately. Those who have taken the pCm and feel unwell should seek advice from healthcare professionals. The public can submit the pCm to the Chinese Medicine Division of the DH on 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, during office hours for disposal.

  

     One nomination for the by-election for the Tai Nan Constituency of the Yau Tsim Mong District Council was received by the Returning Officer today (February 8), the first day of the nomination period.
 
     Particulars of the nominee are available on the Electoral Affairs Commission website (www.eac.hk/en/distco/2019ytmd_tn_candidates.htm).
 
     The nomination period will run until February 21. If the number of validly nominated candidates is more than one at the by-election, a poll will be held on March 24 (Sunday).

     Goldwell Engineering & Projects Limited was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for failing to pay on time statutory holiday pay, annual leave pay and defaulting on a sum awarded by the Labour Tribunal (LT), in violation of the Employment Ordinance (EO). The employer pleaded guilty at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (February 8) and was fined a total of $75,000. 

     The employer failed to pay five employees' statutory holiday pay and annual leave pay totalling about $32,000 as required by the EO. The employer also failed to pay awarded sums of about $23,000 to those five employees within 14 days after the specified payment date of the LT award. 

     "The ruling helps disseminate a strong message to all employers that they have to pay statutory holiday pay and annual leave pay to employees within the time limit stipulated in the EO and awarded sums according to the terms of the awards of the LT or Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board. The LD will not tolerate these offences and will continue to make dedicated efforts in enforcing the EO and safeguarding employees' statutory rights," a spokesman for the LD said.