â€‹The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 30) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya fever (CF), and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

A. Dengue fever
 
     From November 23 to 29, the CHP recorded three imported DF cases. The patients had been to the Philippines (two cases, including one case epidemiologically linked to a case from last week) and Cambodia (one case) during the incubation period.
 
     As of yesterday (November 29), 156 cases had been confirmed this year, of which 29 were local cases and 127 were imported cases. The imported cases were mainly from Thailand (34), Mainland China (29) and the Philippines (21).
 
     DF remains endemic in some areas in Asia and beyond. The latest figures for 2018 revealed that 76 936 cases had been recorded in Thailand, 2 742 in Singapore (since December 31, 2017) and 177 in Japan. In Taiwan, 182 local cases have been recorded in 2018.

     â€‹"Apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor," a spokesman for the CHP said.

B. Chikungunya fever

​     From November 23 to 29, the CHP recorded one confirmed CF case. The patient had been to Thailand during the incubation period.

     As of yesterday, two confirmed cases of CF had been recorded in 2018, both of which were imported cases (one was imported from the Philippines and the other from Thailand).

     CF is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the chikungunya virus. It is clinically characterised by fever frequently accompanied by joint pain. Other common signs and symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. Joint pain is often very debilitating, but usually lasts for a few days or may be prolonged for weeks. Most patients recover fully, but in some cases joint pain may persist for several months, or even years.

     Chikungunya virus is transmitted to humans by mosquito bites. Although one vector, Aedes aegypti, is not found in Hong Kong, the other vector, Aedes albopictus, is widely distributed locally. These mosquitoes can be found biting throughout daylight hours, though there may be peaks of activity in the early morning and late afternoon.

     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

     DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

 
* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the CF page of the CHP, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, visited North District this afternoon (November 30).

     Mr Lau first met with the Chairman of North District Council, Mr So Sai-chi, and other members to brief them on the major work of the Bureau. They also exchanged views on issues of concern, including the opening of bank accounts and taxation matters.

     He then proceeded to Caritas Fanling Chan Chun Ha Secondary School to take part in the "STEM Education Day cum Open Course" co-organised by the school and the Centre for Information Technology in Education of the University of Hong Kong. He toured the exhibition booths and observed students' work and the school's efforts in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematic) education. He encouraged the students to actively participate in STEM activities to unleash their creativity.

     Mr Lau also observed a barista class conducted by the school in collaboration with the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Jockey Club Cheung Wah Youth SPOT, where he chatted with students to learn about their life planning.

     Before concluding his visit, Mr Lau went to Lok Ma Chau Police Station and viewed the Loop from a lookout. He was briefed by officers from the Planning Department and the Civil Engineering and Development Department on the planning for the area. Noting that the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park developed in the Loop area will be the largest innovation and technology platform ever established in Hong Kong, Mr Lau was of the view that it would further promote the development of financial technology in Hong Kong.

     The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, visited Eastern District this afternoon (November 30). He met with local District Councillors and visited the vehicular ferry pier and an elderly housing project in North Point.

     Accompanied by the District Officer (Eastern), Mr Simon Chan, Mr Chan first met with the Chairman of the Eastern District Council, Mr Wong Kin-pan, and District Councillors to exchange views on housing and transport issues in the district.
     
     Mr Chan then proceeded to the North Point Vehicular Ferry Pier to inspect the facilities and observe the operation of the pier.

     Mr Chan made a final stop at Tanner Hill, a housing project run by the Hong Kong Housing Society for elderly people, where he toured the health care and leisure facilities.

     A woman was fined $8,000 at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts today (November 30) for contravening the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.
      
     The courts heard that in April this year, officers of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), the Home Affairs Department, inspected a suspected unlicensed guesthouse on Tai Fung Street in Yuen Long. During the inspection, the OLA officers posed as lodgers and successfully rented a room in the guesthouse on a daily basis.
      
     According to the OLA's records, the guesthouse did not possess a licence under the Ordinance on the day of inspection. The woman responsible for managing the premises was charged with contravening section 5(1) of the Ordinance.
      
     A department spokesman stressed that operating or managing an unlicensed guesthouse is a criminal offence and will lead to a criminal record. Upon conviction, the offender is liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and two years' imprisonment.
           
     The spokesman appealed to anyone with information about suspected unlicensed guesthouses to report it to the OLA through the hotline (Tel: 2881 7498), by email (hadlaenq@had.gov.hk), by fax (2504 5805) using the report form downloaded from the OLA website (www.hadla.gov.hk), or through the mobile application "Hong Kong Licensed Hotels and Guesthouses".

     The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, visited Sha Tin District this afternoon (November 30) to call at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) (Sha Tin) and the Jockey Club Home for Hospice. He also exchanged views with members of the Sha Tin District Council (STDC) on environmental issues.

     Accompanied by the District Officer (Sha Tin), Miss Amy Chan, Mr Wong first called at IVE (Sha Tin). The institute was awarded the Certificate of Merit in the 2012 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence under the Public Organisations and Utilities Sector. IVE (Sha Tin) is implementing the Kids' Greenway project funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund and the Environmental Campaign Committee to nurture the environmental awareness of young children through the provision of teaching packs to spread the "use less, waste less" message at the pre-primary level. Mr Wong also visited its Environmental Education Centre and encouraged students to put their learning into practice by applying professional knowledge in waste and carbon reduction initiatives, in order to support the "dump less, save more" initiative, as well as contributing to Hong Kong's sustainable development and combating global climate change.

     Mr Wong then departed for the Jockey Club Home for Hospice to understand more about its services and tour its facilities. He also chatted with the staff there to know more about their work.

     Before concluding his itinerary, Mr Wong paid a visit to the STDC to meet with its Chairman, Mr Ho Hau-cheung, and members to listen to their views on the Government's environmental policies and learn more about their concerns on district environmental issues.