Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 8) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 3 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $2.4 million.
A female passenger, aged 63, arrived in Hong Kong from Freetown, Sierra Leone, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, yesterday. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cocaine in the false compartment of her check-in suitcase. She wassubsequently arrested.
The arrested woman has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on August 11.
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department today released the first batch of figures for August in the gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus.
Among the 13 areas surveyed areas, the gravidtrap index in So Kwun Wat, Tuen Mun District reached 16.4%, while the index recorded in the other 12 areas ranged from 0% to 7.4%.
The density index for the 13 areas was released along with the gravidtrap index.
In response to the recent chikungunya fever situation, the department has activated a mechanism that strengthens mosquito control work in areas where the gravidtrap index is between 10% and 20%. Previously the mechanism was only activated when the index reaches 20% or above.
It will collaborate with other departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestation, and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures.
Click here for more information on the gravidtrap and density indices for Aedes albopictus.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said today that it strongly opposes untrue and biased remarks made by the US and Group of Seven Rapid Response Mechanism (G7 RRM) members and associate members with regard to Hong Kong’s pursuit of persons wanted in connection with national security offences.
The other G7 RRM members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the European Union.
In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR, and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security.
It outlined that the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents under the Basic Law and under the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights as applicable to the Hong Kong SAR, are protected in accordance with the law.
Legislation that safeguards national security only targets a very small number of organisations and individuals that endanger national security, the Hong Kong SAR Government added.
It iterated that the Police Force’s National Security Department announced on July 25 that 16 absconders, along with three individuals – Yuan Gong-yi, Fok Ka-chi and Choi Ming-da – who were specified as absconders in June and December 2024, had been placed on the wanted list.
These 19 absconders are suspected of having committed offences under the Hong Kong National Security Law by organising, establishing, or participating in, outside of the Hong Kong SAR, a subversive organisation named the “Hong Kong Parliament”.
In response to applications by Police, arrest warrants against these 19 persons at large have been issued.
On August 4, the Secretary for Security exercised the powers conferred by the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance to specify the above-mentioned group of 16 persons as absconders, and issued notices in the Government Gazette regarding measures to be applied against them.
The statement said the absconders are subject to arrest warrants not because they had “exercised freedom of expression”, but because they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security outside of Hong Kong.
The “Hong Kong Parliament” is an organisation aiming to subvert the state’s power. Its objectives include promoting “self-determination”, promulgating the so-called “Hong Kong Constitution”, and overthrowing or undermining the People’s Republic of China’s basic system and central power, or the authorities of the Hong Kong SAR, by unlawful means.
The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that endangering national security is a very serious offence, and that such acts can bring very serious consequences. It added that it has the responsibility to pursue, in accordance with the law, persons suspected of having committed offences under the Hong Kong National Security Law or other offences endangering national security outside of Hong Kong.
The statement stressed that it is a demonstration of hypocrisy by any external forces to attack the Hong Kong SAR’s efforts to dutifully and faithfully safeguard national security in accordance with the law.
It added that the Hong Kong SAR’s law enforcement agencies take actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with the political stances, background or occupations of those individuals or entities.
The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that it has the responsibility to pursue those who are suspected to have committed offences endangering national security and absconded overseas.
It added that absconders should not think they can evade criminal liability by absconding from Hong Kong and that ultimately they will be liable for their acts. Furthermore, it said that any suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts amounts to advocating for special privileges to break the law, which runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law.
It also reiterated that the Constitution and the Basic Law steadfastly safeguard the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents. It said that attempts by foreign countries or external forces to undermine Hong Kong’s situation only expose their own weakness and faulty arguments and will be doomed to fail.
The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to unwaveringly discharge its duty in safeguarding national security, it added.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases first batch of gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus in August
DistrictThe index in So Kwun Wat, Tuen Mun District, reached 16.4 per cent. In response to the recent CF situation, the FEHD has activated a mechanism that strengthen mosquito control work in areas with the gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, which was originally activated when the gravidtrap index reaches 20% or above. The FEHD will collaborate with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestation, and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. The FEHD will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify the residential estates subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and join hands in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures.
Members of public should adopt the following measures, strengthening the prevention against the breeding of mosquitoes: Following the recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools, to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 64 survey areas of the community. During the two weeks of surveillance, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes, to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data of the two weeks’ surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indices for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#Issued at HKT 12:10
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 8) announced that one new imported case and one probable case of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded, as at 5pm today. The CHP will continue to strengthen its surveillance work in view of the recent CF cases. The CHP reminded members of the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and when travelling outside Hong Kong. Avoiding mosquito bites and eliminating mosquito breeding sites are effective ways to prevent CF.
The confirmed imported case involved a 66-year-old female with underlying illnesses, living in Kwai Tsing District. Initial investigations revealed that the patient travelled alone to Foshan in Guangdong Province between July 24 and August 5, but did not recall a history of mosquito bites during the stay. She developed fever, rash and joint pain since August 6. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Yan Chai Hospital yesterday (August 7) and was admitted for treatment in a mosquito-free environment on the same day. She is currently in stable condition. Her blood sample tested positive for CF virus upon laboratory testing.
Since the patient stayed in Foshan during the whole incubation period, the CHP considered that the patient was infected during travel, and the case was classified as an imported case. She has no travel collaterals, and her household contacts are currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance. The CHP’s epidemiological investigations is ongoing and has reported the case to the health authorities of Guangdong.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) is conducting vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations and will intensify mosquito prevention and control measures at the residence of the above patient, as well as locations visited after the onset of symptoms. These measures include:
carrying out intensive fogging in the scrubby areas within 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;
carrying out inspection of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and
enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.
Another probable case involves a 22-year-old female with good past health. She lives in Eastern District. Initial investigations revealed that she travelled oversea between July 16 and August 4 (July 16 to 28: Madagascar; July 28 to August 3: Mauritius; August 3 to 4: Malaysia), then arrived Hong Kong on August 4. She recalled a history of mosquito bites during the stay in Madagascar. She developed fever, headache and multiple joint pain in Madagascar since July 25 and rash over four limbs since July 30. Her fever had subsided before returning to Hong Kong. After returning to Hong Kong, she sought medical attention due to joint pain at the Accident and Emergency Department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on August 4 and was admitted for treatment on the following day (August 5). She was discharged on August 7.
The patient’s blood sample collected on August 4 tested negative in nucleic acid testing, while the blood sample collected on August 5 tested positive today for immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to CF virus. The case is likely a recovered case. The CHP considered that the patient was no longer infectious to mosquito upon her return to Hong Kong. The CHP will arrange for a blood sample to be collected from the patient next week for a second antibody testing. If there is a more than four-fold increase in the antibody titre against the CF virus when compared with the first specimen, the case will be classified as a confirmed case.
A total of five CF cases have been recorded in Hong Kong this year, all of which were imported cases, and another probable case has been recorded. From 2016 to 2019, between one and 11 CF cases were recorded in Hong Kong each year, all of which were imported cases.
According to the World Health Organization, CF cases have been recorded in more than 110 countries/regions. As of July this year, over 240 000 cases had been reported in 16 countries/regions worldwide. Of these cases, about 90 were fatal.
The DH has enhanced publicity and education efforts regarding CF targeting different groups. The CHP’s Port Health Division continues to step up inspections at boundary control points to ensure good environmental hygiene and effective implementation of anti-mosquito measures, and also distributes leaflets to travellers. The Port Health Division staff members has recently reminded MTR Corporation, cross-boundary coach and ferry companies operators and the Airport Authority Hong Kong to strengthen anti-mosquito measures. Furthermore, staff members of the Port Health Division also conduct temperature screening for inbound travellers. Any travellers with fever or related symptoms will be assessed for their health condition and referred to hospitals for follow-up when necessary.
To raise the awareness of the elderly on preventing CF, the Visiting Health Teams under the Elderly Health Service of the DH have been advising the elderly on CF prevention and travel health at the health talks conducted at District Elderly Community Centres and Neighbourhood Elderly Centres, and reminding residential care homes for the elderly to enhance mosquito control measures. The Visiting Health Teams under the Elderly Health Service has promoted information of CF prevention at more than 300 health promotion activities provided to the elderly and their carers. In addition, the Elderly Health Service has arranged for the distribution of relevant leaflets at Elderly Health Centres across the 18 districts, with a view to helping the elderly to learn about the symptoms of CF and enhance their awareness of prevention of CF. The Family Health Service has also advised pregnant women and infant carers at its Maternal and Child Health Centres about precautions for preventing CF. The Student Health Service will distribute promotional leaflets to students at its Student Health Service Centres and Special Assessment Centres so that students could learn more about symptoms of CF.
The Health Promotion Branch is committed to disseminating health information on the prevention of mosquito-borne diseases (including CF) to the public through multiple channels. Measures include setting up Info Stations across various districts in Hong Kong (www.chp.gov.hk/en/other/events/476.html) and distributing relevant health messages through different online and offline platforms, with content updated as appropriate in light of the latest developments. To strengthen support for ethnic minority communities, essential information on CF has also been translated into ten ethnic minority languages (including Hindi, Nepali, Urdu, Thai, Bahasa Indonesia, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Punjabi, Sinhala and Bengali) and uploaded to the CHP website. The Health Promotion Branch has also contacted stakeholders serving ethnic minority groups (such as non-governmental organisations and religious groups etc.) to distribute relevant health materials, so that more members of the public can access anti-mosquito information and work together to prevent the spread of CF.
The Head of the Communicable Disease Branch of the CHP, Dr Albert Au, reminded members of the public to adopt precautions in the rainy season against mosquito-borne diseases. If members of the public return from areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, they should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. They should closely observe their personal health condition, in particular symptoms such as fever, joint pain and rash. If they feel unwell, they should seek medical advice promptly and provide their travel details to the doctor for clinical diagnosis and arrangement of appropriate testing based on an individual patient’s condition. Members of the public are urged not to self-medicate, particularly with aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen), as these drugs may cause serious side effects, for example increasing the risk of haemorrhage. In general, children should not take medications containing aspirin to relieve fever or other symptoms, as it may lead to a serious and potentially fatal complication called “Reye’s syndrome”.
The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Emergency Unit of New Territories South of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) today (August 8) conducted an inter-departmental counter-terrorism and major incident exercise, codenamed “FLYINGEAGLE”, “YELLOWFORTRESS” and “RAINARROW” at the Penny’s Bay Community Isolation Facility, Fantasy Road, Lantau Island. The exercise aimed to enhance the communication, co-ordination and immediate response capabilities among relevant government departments and stakeholders in dealing with emergencies during the 15th National Games (NG).
The exercise simulated three emergency scenarios during the cross-boundary road cycling race of the 15th NG: a terrorist-initiated car ramming and shooting against spectators; spectators breaching the race route and colliding with cyclists causing mass casualties; and a missing child case. The exercise aimed to test and enhance the abilities of relevant government departments and stakeholders to effectively deploy manpower, subdue attackers, as well as co-ordinate emergency evacuation and rescue operations under various contingencies.
Over 300 representatives from 10 government departments and relevant organisations participated in the exercise, including personnel from the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong), the HKPF, the Department of Health, the Hospital Authority, the Fire Services Department, the Immigration Department, the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the Cycling Association of Hong Kong, China Limited and the Hong Kong Association for Conflict and Catastrophe Medicine.
The Police will continue to maintain close collaboration with relevant government departments and stakeholders, review contingency plans and make comprehensive preparations for the upcoming 15th NG to ensure public safety and the smooth running of the events.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 8) investigating a cluster of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) carrier cases involving five residents of a residential care home for the elderly (RCHE), and reminded all RCHEs to follow the Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases in RCHE (the Guidelines) to implement measures for the detection, prevention and control of infectious diseases.
The CHP earlier received notification from the Hospital Authority (HA) that five female residents aged 68 to 93 of an RCHE in Chai Wan who attended public hospitals for underlying illnesses, had samples tested positive for CPE upon laboratory tests. All of them carry the bacteria without symptoms of infection. The CHP immediately carried out epidemiological investigations after receiving notifications from the HA. It is found that the CPE might be transmitted within the institution. The CHP is conducting screening at the RCHE concerned to identify other possible carriers.
The CHP conducted a site inspection and found that the RCHE concerned had not fully implemented the related infection control measures. The CHP advised the RCHE to implement the necessary infection control measures to further prevent transmission of the resistant bacteria within the institution, including appropriate nursing procedures, thorough environmental cleaning and disinfection, proper hand hygiene for staff and residents.
The CHP will continue to put the RCHE under medical surveillance and investigate the cluster.
Enterobacteriaceae (for example, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella) are common pathogens that can cause infections at different body sites including urinary tract infections, intra-abdominal infections or bacteraemia. CPE are enterobacteriaceae that produce carbapenemase – an enzyme that can deactivate carbapenems and other beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillins. These bacteria are commonly resistant to multiple antibiotics, limiting therapeutic options, and may render severe clinical infections difficult to treat. The range of diseases associated with CPE varies from asymptomatic carriage to potentially life-threatening or fatal infections. The level of risk depends on which part of the body is affected by the infection and the general health of the patient.
​​Proper use of antibiotics and maintaining good personal and environmental hygiene, especially hand hygiene, are important for the prevention of emergence and cross-transmission of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) like CPE. In addition, susceptible individuals such as the elderly, infants and young children, pregnant women and people with weakened immunity can lower the risk of contracting MDROs by not eating raw or undercooked foods.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Digital Policy Office (DPO) held the first Technology Forum in its AI+ Civil Services series at Hong Kong Cyberport today (August 8). The forum, themed “Smart Governance Era – Digital Agents & Smart Meetings for Efficiency”, was held in hybrid mode and attracted more than 1 300 professionals from over 100 government departments as well as public and private organisations to discuss and promote the applications and innovation of AI in public services.
In his opening address, the Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, emphasised that in response to the rapid development of AI, the Government must proactively adopt smart technologies to boost work efficiency and enhance the experience for citizens, ensuring that public services stay current and progressive. To support departments in exploring suitable AI solutions, the Smart Government Innovation Lab (Smart Lab) under the DPO earlier launched the “AI+ Tool and Solution Catalogue” (the Catalogue), featuring a wide range of quickly deployable AI solutions from the innovation and technology (I&T) industry that suit the needs of the Government. Mr Wong encouraged all government colleagues to explore and implement suitable solutions from the Catalogue to enhance work efficiency and optimise human resources. He also took the opportunity to invite the I&T sector to submit more high-quality solutions, fostering a shared commitment to transforming public services with AI.
At the forum, a number of technology companies were invited to share information and exchange insights on their technologies and solutions focusing on the two main themes: “Digital Human Customer Service” and “Meeting Minutes Summaries and Communication Collaboration”, providing an opportunity for government departments and the I&T sector to delve into the latest AI products and solutions, as well as to explore practical applications of AI for better public services. Among all, the Judiciary shared its experience with voice-to-text technology in the courts, and Hong Kong Cyberport introduced the local AI ecosystem development.
The forum also featured a number of booths showcasing the latest AI technologies and products where attendees were able to visit and exchange ideas. These included the local large language model “HKGAI V1” developed by the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center (HKGAI), and its related applications, such as the clerical assistant “HKPilot”, the intelligent assistant “HKChat”, and the meeting minutes generator “HKMeeting”. These tools have already been widely used across government departments.
This forum was organised by the Smart Lab in collaboration with Hong Kong Cyberport, the Hong Kong Productivity Council and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation. Since its establishment in 2019, the Smart Lab has been committed to connecting the Government with the I&T sector, actively fostering close partnerships between local start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and government departments. Through regularly organising promotional activities and technology exchange workshops, the Smart Lab supports and assists government departments in accelerating the introduction of local innovative technology products and solutions, which in turn could facilitate business matching and achieve win-win outcomes.
To further promote the wider adoption of AI across government departments, the DPO is launching a series of promotional activities under the “AI+ Civil Services” theme. The forum today marks the first Technology Forum of the series. In future, the DPO will continue to hold Technology Forums spotlighting relevant topics. Interested parties are most welcome to stay engaged and participate in the upcoming events. For more details, please visit the thematic website of the Smart Lab (www.smartlab.gov.hk/en/).