The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 15) investigating two influenza A outbreaks at a kindergarten-cum-child care centre in Fanling and a primary school in Kowloon City, and again reminded the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene against influenza.
 
     The outbreak at the kindergarten-cum-child care centre in Fanling affected 24 students including 10 boys and 14 girls, aged 2 to 6, as well as a female staff member. They have developed fever, cough, sore throat and runny nose since January 4. Twenty-three sought medical attention and six of them required hospitalisation for further management. All patients have been in a stable condition. The respiratory specimens of six students tested positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing.

     For the outbreak at the primary school in Kowloon City, it involves 21 boys, aged 6 to 10, who have developed fever, cough, sore throat and runny nose since January 5. All of them sought medical attention but none required hospitalisation. All patients are in a stable condition. The respiratory specimen of one affected student tested positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing.

     Officers of the CHP have conducted site visits to both schools and advised the schools to adopt infection control measures against respiratory infections. The schools have been put under medical surveillance.
 
     A spokesman for the CHP said, "To prevent outbreaks of influenza and other respiratory infections, it is of prime importance that children 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.

     "Hong Kong has entered the 2018-19 winter influenza season. We anticipate that local seasonal influenza activity will continue to rise in the coming weeks and remain at an elevated level for some time. Members of the public should remain vigilant for protection against influenza," the spokesman said.

     "Particularly, children, people aged 50 to 64 years, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses who have not yet received influenza vaccination this season are urged to get vaccinated as early as possible to prevent seasonal influenza as it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body after vaccination. They should promptly seek medical advice if influenza-like symptoms develop so that appropriate treatment can be initiated as early as possible to prevent potential complications. Parents and carers are reminded to render assistance in prevention, care and control for vulnerable people," the spokesman added.

     Besides receiving seasonal influenza vaccination as early as possible for personal protection, the public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene for protection against influenza and other respiratory illnesses. For more information, please visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly Flu Express.

     Hong Kong Customs today (January 15) seized 488 suspected smuggled smartphones with an estimated market value of about $1.6 million at Lok Ma Chau Control Point.

     Customs officers today intercepted an outgoing private vehicle at Lok Ma Chau Control Point and found the batch of smartphones in a false compartment in the bottom of the vehicle.

     The 49-year-old male driver was arrested. Investigation is ongoing.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Influenza A (H1) in a female forensic psychiatric ward, the spokesperson for Castle Peak Hospital made the following update today (January 15):

     One more patient (age 49) in the ward has presented with respiratory symptoms. Appropriate viral test were arranged for the patient and the test result was positive to Influenza A (H1). The patient concerned is being treated under isolation and is in a stable condition.

     Admission to the ward has been suspended and restricted visiting has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.

     The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

    The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health today (January 15) reported that the suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) pending results yesterday (January 14), upon preliminary testing, tested negative for MERS Coronavirus.

     â€‹A butcher's chain stall operated by Hundred Year Food Limited at Mau Tan Street in Yuen Long caused noise nuisance to nearby residents by persistently playing promotional recordings. Its staff members also obstructed public officers in the execution of duty. The shop and two of its staff members were convicted and fined a total of $10,500 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (January 15) and on October 23 and December 4 last year for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO). One of its staff members was also held criminally liable for obstructing a public officer. He was fined $4,000.
      
     An Environmental Protection Department (EPD) spokesman said that repeated complaints were received from members of the public last year about the noise nuisance caused by the aforementioned butcher's shop by using loudspeakers to play promotional recordings. EPD enforcement officers conducted on-site investigation in March last year and found that a staff member of the shop used a handheld loudspeaker to peddle goods, and it was confirmed that the noise generated caused annoyance after assessment. A staff member of the butcher's shop concerned also refused to provide an identity document to an enforcement officer and delayed a public officer from undertaking law enforcement duties. After that, the shop continued to generate noise nuisance when peddling goods and enforcement action was taken again by EPD officers in April last year. After evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecutions against the butcher's shop with repeated contraventions and the staff members concerned under the NCO.
      
     After a series of enforcement actions, the situation of the aforementioned shop improved. The EPD is highly concerned about the noise nuisance caused by chain stalls in various districts. The EPD will continue to closely monitor and conduct stringent enforcement actions to combat illegal behaviours by stalls.
      
     The spokesman reminded persons responsible for retail shops and market stalls that when they play promotional recordings to sell goods, they should contain the noise level within their shop area and should not cause annoyance to other people outside their shops or nearby residents. Otherwise, it constitutes an offence, and offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $10,000. The spokesman also reminded members of the trade that it is an offence to resist, delay or obstruct a public officer from undertaking law enforcement duties under the NCO, offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000.