Hong Kong Customs today (December 9) seized 154 live birds suspected illegally imported with an estimated market value of about $15,000 at Lo Wu Control Point.

     During Customs clearance for a 75-year-old incoming male passenger this afternoon, the batch of live birds were found in a nylon bag he carried.

     The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.

     Under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulations of the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Ordinance, Chapter 139, it is an offence to import any bird unless it is accompanied by a valid health certificate. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $25,000.

     Members of the public may report any suspected activities of illegal import of live birds to the 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 today (December 9) reported a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit. The case is detailed below:
 

     
     "Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise 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 (MERS-CoV)," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Locally, the CHP's surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed fever or lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. 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 World Health Organization'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 Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will depart for Zhuhai tomorrow afternoon (December 10) to attend the exchange forum on business co-operation in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area organised by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the Hong Kong Productivity Council and the PRD Council. The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will join the visit.

     Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong in the evening on the same day.
 

     Police located a man who went missing in Aberdeen.

     Ho Tak-kuen, Jimmy, aged 59, went missing after he left a clinic on Tin Wan Street on December 5 afternoon. His family made a report to Police on the same day.

     The man was located on Des Voeux Road West, Western District today morning (December 9). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     Correctional Officers at Pik Uk Correctional Institution stopped a fight among persons in custody yesterday (December 8).

     At 4.53pm yesterday, eight male remand persons in custody, aged between 17 and 20, engaged in a fight inside the dining hall. Officers at the scene immediately stopped the fight and called for reinforcement.

     Three remand persons in custody sustained minor injuries on head, hand and foot respectively in the incident. After examination and treatment by the institution Medical Officer, they did not need to be sent to public hospital.

     The case has been reported to the Police for investigation.

     The eight remand persons in custody were remanded for the offences of trafficking in dangerous drugs, forcible taking or detention of persons with intent to sell, robbery and burglary respectively.