The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 13) reminded the public to practise strict hand, personal, food and environmental hygiene to guard against some common and travel-related infectious diseases in the coming Christmas and New Year holidays.
 
A. Seasonal influenza
 
     The latest surveillance data revealed that although the overall activity of seasonal influenza (SI) in Hong Kong is still below the baseline level, it has been increasing in the past few weeks. Among the respiratory specimens received by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, the percentage that tested positive for influenza has increased from 3.35 per cent in the week ending November 17 to 6.25 per cent last week.
 
     Globally, influenza activity also started to increase in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere. The 2018/19 winter influenza season has already started in Canada. Influenza activity in the United States, the United Kingdom and Mainland China has also been increasing recently.
 
     "Based on past epidemiological patterns, we expect that the winter influenza season may arrive soon locally. We appeal to the public, particularly children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, to get vaccinated early to better protect themselves against SI," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     The public may visit the CHP's webpage on SI for more information.
 
B. Hand, foot and mouth disease
 
     Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) occurs throughout the year. While the disease activity is usually higher from May to July, a smaller peak may also occur from October to December.
 
     "The latest surveillance data showed that the activity of HFMD in Hong Kong remains at a high level. So far, 63 cases of Enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection were recorded in 2018 with four of them being severe cases. As young children are more susceptible, parents should stay alert to their health. Institutional outbreaks may occur where HFMD can easily spread among young children with close contact," the spokesman said.
 
     To prevent HFMD, members of the public, and especially the management of institutions, should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the CHP's webpages on HFMD and EV 71 infection and Public Health Advice for Play Facilities for more information.
 
C. Acute gastroenteritis and food poisoning
 
     Outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) usually occur more frequently in winter. In the festive season, food and environmental hygiene are the keys to preventing AGE and food poisoning while consuming party food or hot pot in gatherings.
 
     The public should consume thoroughly washed and cooked food. For shellfish, the shells should be well scrubbed and the internal organs removed before consumption. Never use raw eggs as a dipping sauce. Use different chopsticks to handle raw and cooked food to avoid cross-contamination. For more information on food safety tips, please visit the webpage of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)'s Centre for Food Safety. The public may also visit the CHP's webpage on viral gastroenteritis for more information.
 
D. Travel-related diseases
 

• Dengue fever

 
     From November 30 to yesterday (December 12), the CHP recorded one imported dengue fever (DF) case. The patient had been to Thailand during the incubation period.
 
     As of yesterday, 157 cases had been confirmed this year, of which 29 were local cases and 128 were imported cases. The imported cases were mainly from Thailand (35), Mainland China (29) and the Philippines (21).
 
     DF remains endemic in some areas in Asia and beyond. The latest figures for 2018 revealed that 80 065 cases had been recorded in Thailand, 2 946 in Singapore (since December 31, 2017) and 185 in Japan. In Taiwan, 183 local cases have been recorded in 2018. In the Americas, the latest figures indicated that 228 042 and 72 197 cases have been filed in Brazil and Mexico respectively in 2018.
 
     To prevent mosquito-borne diseases, travellers should wear loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or exposed parts of the body. Travellers returning from areas affected by DF and Zika virus infection should apply insect repellent for 14 days or at least 21 days respectively upon arrival in Hong Kong.
 
     The public may visit the DF pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents and the FEHD's Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding for more information. 
 

• Measles and rubella

 
     Hong Kong achieved measles elimination in 2016 and the annual reported number of measles cases has remained at a very low level in the past few years. The 12-month measles incidence from December 2017 to November 2018 locally was about 1.8 cases per million population. However, measles remains endemic in many places around the world and the incidence levels in these places are much higher than that of Hong Kong.
 
     In Asia, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) (as of November 9), the 12-month measles incidence (cases per million population) had reached 118.5, 80.4, 16.5, 13.3 and 8.4 in the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore respectively. In Europe, measles cases continued to be reported in many countries, with the highest 12-month measles incidence from October 2017 to September 2018 (cases per million population) in Greece (283.1), Romania (92.7), Slovakia (86.7), Italy (42.9), France (41.4) and the United Kingdom (15.5).
 
     Regarding rubella cases, the outbreak of rubella in Japan that started in September this year is ongoing. According to the information from the health authority of Japan, a total of 2 454 rubella cases have been recorded in 2018 (as of December 5), as compared to 93, 126 and 163 cases recorded in 2017, 2016 and 2015 respectively. The weekly number of cases was above 100 in the past 13 weeks. The cumulative incidence (cases per million population) in 2018 was 19.3 with the highest incidence rates in Tokyo (61.7), Chiba (53.7) and Kanagawa (37.5), which were much higher than the annualised incidence of 1.2 cases per million population in Hong Kong (as of December 5).
 
     "Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles and rubella. Members of the public who are planning to travel to places with high incidence or outbreaks of measles or rubella should review their vaccination history and past medical history, especially people born outside Hong Kong who might not have received measles or rubella vaccination during childhood. Those with incomplete vaccination, unknown vaccination history or unknown immunity against measles or rubella are urged to consult their doctor for advice on vaccination at least two weeks before departure," the spokesman said.
 
     "Pregnant women and women preparing for pregnancy who are not immune to measles or rubella as well as children aged under 1 year who are not due for the first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella combined vaccine under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme are advised not to travel to places with outbreaks of measles or rubella," the spokesman added.
 
     For more information on measles and rubella, the public may visit the CHP's measles page and rubella page. They can also visit the Travel Health Service's website for the latest travel health advice.
 

• Middle East Respiratory Syndrome

 
     To prevent Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), travellers in the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels, avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, avoid consuming raw or undercooked animal products such as milk and meat, and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. The CHP strongly advises travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus.
 
     The public may visit the MERS pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the WHO's latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS.

The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:
 
     The Ombudsman, Ms Connie Lau, held a press conference this morning (December 13) to announce the results of the direct investigations on "Social Welfare Department's Monitoring of Services of Residential Care Homes for the Elderly" and on "Government's Regulation of Proprietary Chinese Medicine". The reports are available on the Office of The Ombudsman's website: ofomb.ombudsman.hk/abc/en-us/news.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Environmental Campaign Committee:
 
     In order to promote the green practice of going plastic-and-disposable-free, the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) have launched a programme which involves lending reusable tableware to large-scale event organisers for free to encourage them to reduce the use of disposable tableware so as to jointly reduce waste and carbon emissions.
 
     An ECC spokesman today (December 13) said that a variety of large-scale events are held in Hong Kong every year, and some of them serve food and beverages using disposable tableware and food containers for the sake of convenience, thus generating a considerable amount of waste. To promote waste reduction at source, the ECC and the EPD, with sponsorship from the Environment and Conservation Fund, have arranged production of 5 000 sets of reusable tableware, each comprising a bowl, a water cup, a spoon, a fork and a pair of chopsticks, for lending to organisers of large-scale events for free. A tableware cleaning and sterilisation service contractor has also been engaged by the ECC to provide the related delivery, collection and cleaning services.
 
     Starting from next Monday (December 17), interested event organisers can submit applications to the ECC Secretariat for the lending service based on their requirements for different types and quantities of tableware. The completed application form can be returned to the ECC Secretariat by email (ecc@epd.gov.hk), fax (2827 8138) or mail (5/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong). The application form can be downloaded from ecc.org.hk/english/publicity/tableware_lending_programme.html and enquiries can be made by calling 2835 1258.
 
     In addition to the above programme, to support the United Nations theme of "Beat Plastic Pollution" for this year's World Environment Day, the ECC has also been holding a series of activities to promote the concept of going plastic-and-disposable-free, including the "NO Disposables Campus Award", plastic-free online games and the "Plastic-Free Takeaway, Use Reusable Tableware" Campaign. Through this series of activities, the ECC hopes to enhance public awareness of the adverse environmental impact caused by disposable plastics waste, encourage the public to practise waste reduction at source and foster a culture of living plastic-and-disposable-free.
 
     For details of various ECC projects and activities promoting waste reduction and going plastic-free, please visit the website www.ecc.org.hk.

  

     A Government spokesman announced today (December 13) that the Chief Executive has re-appointed Professor Wong Yuk-shan as the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service (Judicial Committee). The Chief Executive has also re-appointed Mr T C Chan, Ms May Tan Siew-boi and Ms Melissa Wu as members of the Judicial Committee. The four appointees will serve for a period of two years with effect from January 1, 2019.

    The Judicial Committee is tasked to advise and make recommendations to the Chief Executive on matters concerning the salary and conditions of service of judges and judicial officers.

    Other members of the Judicial Committee are Mr Alfred Chan Wing-kin, Mr Jat Sew-tong and Mr Dieter Yih.

     The Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) launched the city's second self-service library station today (December 13) in Tsim Sha Tsui, strengthening the provision of round-the-clock public library services for the public.

     This library station is located at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (opposite the entrance of the Studio Theatre) in Tsim Sha Tsui, and stores about 300 Chinese and English books on various subjects. Using their library card or Hong Kong identity card, HKPL registered users can borrow and return library materials, pick up reserved library materials and pay library fees and charges with Octopus at the library station on their own. The library station's stock will be replenished timely, during which services will be suspended temporarily.

     The design of this library station blends in with the surrounding context. It takes reference from the unique architectural features and geometry of the Cultural Centre. Materials like fluted glass and patterned concrete panels are used. The modern and minimal design brings a fresh look to the covered space and provides a comfortable and functional library station for the public.

     "Under the scheme, which was rolled out on a trial basis last December, trial points are being set up on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and in the New Territories. The first library station is located at Island East Sports Centre Sitting-out Area next to the Hong Kong Film Archive, and the third one, located near Tai Wai MTR Station, is expected to launch in the first half of 2019" an LCSD spokesperson said. 

     For details of library station services, please visit www.hkpl.gov.hk/libstation.