The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 29) investigating a case of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection, and hence reminded the public to maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene against intestinal infections.

     The case involves a 2-year-old boy with good past health, who presented with a fever and vomiting on August 16. He attended Union Hospital on August 17 and was admitted on the same day. He has been in stable condition and was discharged on August 19.

     His stool specimen grew STEC upon laboratory testing.

     Initial enquiries of the CHP revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. Information from the patient's family members revealed that he did not consume any high-risk food (such as raw meat and unpasteurised dairy products) during the incubation period. The investigations of the CHP are ongoing.

     "Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium that is commonly found in the gut of humans and warm-blooded animals. Most strains of E. coli are harmless. Some strains, however, such as STEC, can produce powerful toxins and cause severe food-borne disease. The most recognised serogroup of STEC is E. coli O157:H7," a spokesman for the CHP explained.

     Preventive measures for STEC infection are similar to those recommended for other food-borne diseases. The public are advised to observe good personal and food hygiene:
 

• Adopt the Five Keys to Food Safety in handling food, i.e. Choose (choose safe raw materials), Clean (keep hands and utensils clean), Separate (separate raw and cooked food), Cook (cook thoroughly) and Safe Temperature (keep food at a safe temperature) to prevent food-borne diseases;
• Wash hands properly with liquid soap and water before handling food, after handling raw meat or poultry and before eating, and after going to the toilet or changing diapers;
• Cook food and boil water thoroughly before consumption. When cooking or reheating, the core temperature of the food should reach at least 75 degrees Celsius;
• Avoid consumption of unpasteurised milk or undercooked food; and
• Consult your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of STEC infection, particularly bloody diarrhoea.

     The public may visit the CHP's STEC page for more information.

     The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (August 29).

     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.

     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.

     The heat shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Island:
———————

Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay

Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau

Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai

Kowloon Districts:
——————

Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom

Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin

Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po

Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan

Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei

New Territories Districts:
————————–

Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung

Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung

North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling

Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

     In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.
 

     A Bangladeshi illegal worker, holding a recognisance form, was jailed by the Shatin Magistrates' Courts yesterday (August 28).

     During an anti-illegal worker operation conducted on April 15, the Immigration Department (ImmD) investigators raided a vegetable stall in Tsim Sha Tsui District. A Bangladeshi man, aged 36, was arrested while working as an odd-job worker. Upon identity checking, he produced a recognisance form issued by the ImmD for inspection, which prohibits him from taking employment. Further investigation revealed that he was a non-refoulement claimant.
 
     The illegal worker was charged at the Shatin Magistrates' Courts yesterday with taking employment while being a person in respect of whom a removal order or deportation order was in force. After trial, he was sentenced to 22 months and two weeks' imprisonment.

     The ImmD spokesman warned that, as stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment.

     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

     According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law and employ illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation, with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter, temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

     The Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB), jointly with the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and the Highways Department (HyD), today (August 29) invites relevant system suppliers and operators to submit expressions of interest (EOI) for the smart and green mass transit systems (SGMTS) in Kai Tak and East Kowloon, respectively, to gather views from the market.

     A spokesperson for the TLB said, "Since the Chief Executive announced the implementation of the SGMTS in Kai Tak and East Kowloon in the 2023 Policy Address, the Government has been taking forward the preparation work of the projects, with the award of the consultancy agreements in mid this year to conduct the investigation and design of these two projects in full swing. Given that this will be the first time the SGMTS is introduced in Hong Kong, through this EOI invitation, we would like to further ascertain the interest and capability of the market in constructing and operating these two SGMTS and obtain feedback on different aspects, including the feasibility of expanding the system alignments in the future and measures to expedite the commissioning of the systems.

     "The Government has always been advocating the mindset of 'policy innovation' and 'approach innovation' in implementing the two projects so that the public can enjoy the benefits as soon as possible. As regards the Kai Tak project, we will adopt an innovative implementation approach, including further advancing the tender invitation and arranging part of the statutory processes to be carried out in tandem with the detailed design stage. We strive to bring forward the tender invitation to next year with the goal of awarding the works contract in 2026. As regards the East Kowloon project, we target to strive to invite tenders in 2026 with an aim to award the works contract in 2027. In addition, we will continue to explore different procurement options and will make reference to the views gathered from the EOI exercise to review the viability of compressing the programmes in various stages from planning, design to construction, such as adopting Design for Manufacturing and Assembly, Multi-trade Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing, in order to further shorten the overall programme of the two projects."

     The SGMTS in Kai Tak is about 3.5 kilometres long with five proposed stations. Adopting a dedicated and elevated corridor (in the form of viaducts/track systems) design, it connects the former runway area of Kai Tak to the MTR Kai Tak Station, strengthening the connectivity with the residential and commercial developments, tourism, culture and recreation, sports and community facilities, as well as connecting with the existing railway network, serving the population and employment of about 50 000 as well as the tourists in the area.

     The SGMTS in East Kowloon is about 7km long with eight proposed stations. It provides a convenient and fast feeder service for the uphill areas in Kwun Tong and facilitates the public to gain access to the MTR Choi Hung Station and Yau Tong Station with an aim to improve the overall transportation of East Kowloon and unleash development potential. Its alignment will pass through Choi Wan, Shun Lee, Shun On, Sau Mau Ping, Po Tat and Ma Yau Tong, serving over 300 000 residents in these areas. The system will mainly operate on a dedicated and elevated corridor. A tunnel section from Ma Yau Tong to Yau Tong near Lam Tin North is proposed, but the feasibility of non-tunnel options will also be explored. 

     For these two projects, the Government proposes a single party to be responsible for each project for undertaking the detailed design and construction of the system, as well as its operation and maintenance during the contract period of around 20 to 30 years, and handing over the system in good operation conditions to the Government at the end of the contract period. The future operators need to run the systems on a commercial basis and provide high-quality public transportation services with publicly acceptable fare. If necessary, the Government will explore providing financial support for the projects, including granting property development rights at the proposed depot sites.

     "The views obtained from the EOI will help us gain a deeper understanding of various technical aspects of the projects, including system characteristics, operation capabilities, maintenance and repair requirements, and enable us to explore with the market a delivery mode that meets public interests and is financially viable. Such information will serve as a reference for ascertaining the technical details, delivery mode and financial arrangement at a later stage. We encourage interested suppliers and operators to submit their EOI. This EOI exercise is not a tender exercise, nor is it part of the procurement exercise," the spokesperson continued.

     The CEDD and the HyD will conduct separate on-line briefing sessions for interested companies regarding the SGMTS in Kai Tak and East Kowloon. Details of the EOI invitation and on-line briefing sessions for the SGMTS in Kai Tak and East Kowloon can be found on the webpages of the CEDD (www.ktgts.hk) and the HyD (www.sgmts-ek.hk/eoi/), respectively.

     The deadlines for submission of the EOI are as follows:
 

     The second edition of the Asia+ Festival will be held from September to November, highlighting the arts and culture of nearly 30 countries from Asia, the Middle East and Belt and Road regions.

     The festival is offering Stage Programmes Booking Discount Schemes, including package booking, group booking and "Middle Eastern Series" package booking discounts. An additional 5 per cent discount is available for full-price tickets for selected programmes purchased through any of the above schemes on or before September 3. The biggest discount amounts to 30 per cent. For details of the discount schemes, please refer to Booking Guide on the festival website. Audiences should act quickly to take advantage of the early bird discount.

     The Asia+ Festival is presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. This year its scale is even larger, showcasing over 100 performances and activities.

     The booking discount schemes are applicable to the nine stage programmes below:

1. Opening Programme: "The Accountants"
British cross-disciplinary artist Keith Khan, Mainland Chinese choreographer Xie Xin and Indian choreographers Terence Lewis and Mahrukh Dumasia come together for this uplifting and high-tech visual spectacle.

2. "The Woven Sounds"
Iranian ethnomusicologist and musician Mehdi Aminian performs rarely seen traditional Persian instruments with his ensemble, reviving a folk custom of carpet weavers who would sing while working.

3. "After the Rain"
Local group Toolbox Percussion, media arts collective Dimension Plus and Singaporean composer Lee Jiayi transform the Western Salt Water Service Reservoirs into a striking chamber for a site-specific multimedia music journey.

4. Elīna Garan�a Gala Concert
Latvian mezzo-soprano Elīna Garan�a, hailed as the finest "Carmen" in 25 years, performs a fine selection of opera excerpts and songs in her Hong Kong debut.

5. "+1+1+1+"
Japanese media arts pioneer Daito Manabe, choreographer MIKIKO and her dance company ELEVENPLAY co-create a hyperreal digital odyssey with holographic projection in this arts tech showpiece.

6. Piano Recital by Krystian Zimerman (limited tickets left)
Widely regarded as one of the world's greatest pianists, Polish pianist Krystian Zimerman returns after a 12-year hiatus to perform two recitals with partly different programmes.

7. "Post Capitalistic Auction"
In this alternative yet authentic auction co-created by Mainland Chinese artist Jingyi Wang and local curator Kyle Chung, audience members will have the opportunity to bid in tangible or intangible ways they can think of.

8. Concert by Kinan Azmeh
Syrian-born award-winning clarinettist Kinan Azmeh, with a distinctive voice that blends Arabic and Western influences, will be joined by percussionist John Hadfield and five emerging local musicians in his Hong Kong debut.

9. "Atonement"
This suspenseful production by Malaysian theatre group MUKA Space is adapted from "Den Skyldige", the Best Film at the Robert Awards. It also won five awards at the prestigious ADA Drama Awards in its home country.

     Tickets are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). The telephone booking hotline number is 3166 1288; audiences may also use the mobile ticketing application URBTIX. For programme enquiries, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.asiaplus.gov.hk/2024/en/.