The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 28) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters affecting eight persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

     The first cluster involved one man and two women, aged 29 to 32, who developed fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting about 12 to 35 hours after having dinner at a food premises in Tsim Sha Tsui on September 12.
 
     Another cluster involved five women, aged 31 to 43, who developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting about 23 to 42 hours after having dinner at the same food premises on September 17.

     Four affected persons sought medical attention but none required hospitalisation. All patients 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 Transport Department (TD) today (September 28) announced the Code of Practice for Automated Dockless Bicycle Rental Services and signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Operation of Automated Dockless Bicycle Rental Services (MoU) with four automated bicycle rental operators to promote self-regulatory and sustainable operation of automated dockless bicycle rental services (ADBRS). A number of District Councillors of Tai Po, Sha Tin and North Districts as well as Transport Advisory Committee member and former member of the Hong Kong Olympic cycling team Mr Hung Chung-yam also attended the ceremony to witness the signing of the MoU. 
 
　　Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Commissioner for Transport, Ms Mable Chan, said that promoting green commuting has always been one of the focuses in the transport policy in Hong Kong. Hence, the Government endeavours to foster a bicycle-friendly environment in new towns and new development areas by developing the cycling network and improving the existing cycling facilities, so as to promote cycling as a green mode for short-distance commuting.
 
     Ms Chan noted that the TD is aware of the wide use of ADBRS by members of the public and the highest utilisation of it in new towns had reached almost 10,000 per day. However, it has also caused problems including illegal parking and obstruction.
      
     Drawing reference from different regulatory practices and experiences adopted in overseas cities, the TD formulated, on the basis of the existing legal framework, the Code of Practice for Automated Dockless Bicycle Rental Services, which places an emphasis on the use of information technology and self-discipline in the trade. This, coupled with the regulatory control exercised by relevant departments, will form a two-pronged approach so that the ADBRS operators would operate in a responsible, self-regulatory and sustainable manner.
      
     After several discussions with the ADBRS operators and extensive consultations in districts, the Code was formulated and has proven practicable through the implementation of a pilot scheme. The code mainly covers the following five aspects:
 

1. Operators should not place bicycles in the urban areas due to road safety considerations and the lack of comprehensive cycle tracks and on-street cycle parking spaces in such areas;
2. They should proactively provide customers with appropriate assistance through mobile applications, including giving instructions on safety rules and advice against illegal parking and obstruction;
3. They should set up hotlines to handle enquiries and complaints effectively and make a performance pledge for processing enquiries and complaints;
4. They should put in place an effective site patrolling mechanism; and
5. They should provide operation data to the Government for monitoring and analysis purposes.

 
     Ms Chan thanked the four ADBRS operators (namely HobaBike, Ketch'up Bike, LocoBike and ofo) for supporting the implementation of the Code. She appealed to the trade to continue co-operating with all government departments to promote a bicycle-friendly environment. The TD will also provide not less than 3 500 additional bicycle parking spaces at suitable locations to facilitate cycling by the public. The relevant government departments will continue to carry out enforcement actions and clearance operations against illegal parking black spots for bicycles.
 
     The Code has been uploaded to the website of the TD for public viewing (www.td.gov.hk/mini_site/cic/en/safe-cycling/cycle-parking-tips.html). Meanwhile, the TD will enhance the cycle parking facilities and release the potential illegal parking black spots for bicycles at the website. The TD will also conduct publicity and education such as production of television and radio Announcements in the Public Interest to raise public awareness of proper parking of bicycles.

    

     â€‹The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, has today (September 28) appointed or re-appointed the following persons as Council members of the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre Limited for two years, until the conclusion of the company's Annual General Meeting in 2020.
 
Ms Au Chor-kwan (re-appointment)
Ms Kelly Chan Yuen-sau (new appointment)
Mr Siu Chor-kee (re-appointment)

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 28) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF), and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.
 
     From September 21 to 27, the CHP recorded one imported DF case. The patient had been to the Philippines during the incubation period. 

     As of yesterday (September 27), 109 cases had been confirmed this year, 29 of which were local cases and 80 imported cases. The imported cases were mainly imported from Thailand (30), the Philippines (15) and Cambodia (nine). Since September 4, the number of local DF cases recorded this year has remained at 29.
 
     DF remains endemic in some areas in Asia and beyond. In Guangdong, there were 378 cases recorded in the first eight months of this year. The latest figures for 2018 reveal that 2 087 cases have been recorded in Singapore (since December 31, 2017) and 126 in Japan. In Taiwan, 134 local cases have been recorded to date in 2018. In the Americas, the latest figures indicate that 32 744 cases have been filed in Mexico in 2018.
 
     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.

 
     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days (DF) or at least 21 days (Zika virus infection) upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor. 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 may refer to the CHP's tips for using insect repellents for details.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Committees will hold six open meetings during the week from October 1 to 5 in the LegCo Complex.  Details of the meetings are available in the meeting schedule attached.
 
     The information in the meeting schedule is subject to change.  Please refer to the "LegCo Calendar" on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk) for the latest details of meetings.
 
     Members of the public are welcome to observe open meetings of LegCo  Committees.  Interested individuals and groups are advised to make advance booking of seats by calling the LegCo Secretariat at 3919 3399 during office hours.  Members of the public can also listen to or watch all open meetings via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website.