Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 28) recorded two severe paediatric influenza infection cases. Both had underlying illnesses. The CHP reiterated its appeal to urged schools and parents to arrange for schoolchildren to receive free seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV), as it is one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications. Vaccination also reduces the risk of serious illness or death from infection.

The first case involves an 11-year-old boy. He has developed a fever, cough and shortness of breath since October 25. He attended the Accident and Emergency Departement (AED) of Princess Margaret Hospital on the following day (October 26) and was admitted for treatment. Today, he was transferred to the hospital’s paediatric intensive care unit today due to hypotension. He is currently in serious condition. His nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with shock.

A recent outbreak of influenza-like illness was recorded in the school dormitory where the boy lives. Three other residents of the dormitory and two staff members recently developed respiratory symptoms. One resident, who required hospitalisation, had a nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for influenza A virus. This resident was subsequently discharged after recovering. The symptoms of the other four patients are mild and hospitalisation was not required. The CHP has provided the dormitory with infection control advice, and will administer chemoprophylaxis to its residents and staff.

Another case involves a 11-month-old boy. He has been admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital due to his own underlying disease. He has developed a fever and cough since yesterday (October 27). He was transferred to paediatric intensive care unit of the hospital. He is currently in critical condition. His nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with severe pneumonia. One of his household contacts developed respiratory symptoms recently, and subsequently recovered.

Neither patient had travel history recently, nor had they received the 2025/26 SIV.

Including the abovementioned two cases, there have been 16 severe paediatric influenza cases since the start of the school year in September, including one fatal case. The affected children aged 11 months to 17 years, with 11 having good past health.　　

“Hong Kong is currently in the summer influenza season and there has been a significant increase in influenza-like illness outbreaks in schools since September. As of October 27, a total of 677 outbreaks have been reported in schools since the start of the school year in September, including 71 cases in kindergartens/child care centres, 369 cases in primary schools and 237 cases in secondary schools. Based on the current level of influenza activity and trend analysis, the local influenza activity is expected to remain at a relatively high level over the next few weeks. Furthermore, viruses tend to become more active when temperatures drop. The winter influenza season in Hong Kong typically occurs between January and March. The current summer influenza season may overlap with the upcoming winter influenza season, which could lead to more hospitalisations due to influenza infection than in previous years. I urge all persons aged 6 months or above, except those with known contraindications, who have not yet received the SIV, to act promptly, particularly those high-risk groups such as the elderly, children, and adults with underlying illnesses and immunosuppression. Members of the public may also contact their family doctors to arrange for vaccinations,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.

Dr Tsui reminded high-risk individuals to wear surgical masks when staying in crowded places. People with respiratory symptoms, even if mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly. They should also consider whether to attend work or school.
 
“Members of the public, especially children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, should seek medical advice promptly if presented with fever and respiratory symptoms, for early treatment. As children with influenza can deteriorate rapidly, parents must pay close attention to their children’s condition. They should go to an AED immediately if the child’s condition deteriorates, for example if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, a persistent fever or convulsions,” Dr Tsui said.

In addition to issuing timely reminders to healthcare professionals and schools based on the latest seasonal influenza development, the CHP also uploads the latest seasonal influenza information on its website weekly. Members of the public can visit the CHP’s seasonal influenza and COVID-19 & Flu Express webpages.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Hong Kong’s ranking in the Rule of Law Index 2025 continues to rank sixth in East Asia and the Pacific, and 24th out of 143 countries and jurisdictions globally, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said.

In a statement responding to the annual World Justice Project Rule of Law Index released today, the Hong Kong SAR Government noted that the city’s overall score remains unchanged and is the same as the countries ranked 22nd and 23rd globally.

The scores in most of the aspects have only been slightly adjusted, the statement said, adding that Hong Kong remains high in the overall ranking and continues to be ahead of some European and American countries which often unreasonably criticise the rule of law and human rights situation of the city.

Hong Kong maintains its position within the top 10 globally in respect of “Absence of Corruption” and “Order & Security”. The global rankings in relation to “Absence of Corruption” and “Regulatory Enforcement” are higher than last year, ranking 9th and 15th respectively.

This shows that in addition to its comprehensive regulatory enforcement mechanism, Hong Kong remains one of the most corruption-free places in the world and that the effectiveness of its anti-corruption efforts has been recognised internationally, the statement pointed out.

This also demonstrates the Hong Kong SAR Government’s full commitment to combating acts and activities that endanger national security in accordance with the law after the full implementation of the National Security Law, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and other laws safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, restoring order in the community and ensuring steady economic development and its long-term prosperity and stability effectively.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said that the continuous improvement in these areas is conducive to the construction of rule of law and positive business environment, consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong’s unique advantages, and allowing it to fully play its role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” through its connectivity with both the Mainland and the world.

Hong Kong’s rankings in respect of “Criminal Justice”, “Civil Justice” and “Constraints on Government Powers” remain almost unchanged. Its judicial system is protected by the Basic Law, while all prosecutorial decisions are based on an objective analysis of admissible evidence and applicable laws, free from any interference.

The legal framework in Hong Kong aligns with international standards and keeps up with the times, fully safeguarding the rights of all parties. The Judiciary exercises judicial power independently in accordance with the law, and anyone charged with a criminal offence or involved in civil and commercial cases has the right to a fair hearing.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s scores and global rankings slightly drop in the aspects of “Open Government” and “Fundamental Rights”. However, its rankings in these areas in East Asia and the Pacific remain unchanged.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said the minor drop in the rankings does not fully reflect the real situation in Hong Kong, emphasising that it will continue to strengthen its explanatory work through various channels.

Hong Kong has a robust legal framework for the protection of human rights and an open judicial system, and its Government steadfastly safeguards the rights and freedoms enjoyed by its citizens as protected under the law, the statement said, adding that its residents can seek justice through legal means and are protected by a solid legal aid system under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance.

Under the principle of “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong is the only bilingual common law jurisdiction in the world. Its legal system is fair and well-established, highly aligned with international standards, and home to a deep pool of legal professionals with extensive international experience, the statement outlined.

The construction of rule of law in Hong Kong remains robust and stable, and its high standard of justice has been widely recognised and respected by the international community, it added.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will steadfastly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, fully and faithfully live up to the principle of “one country, two systems” and promote the rule of law education to comprehensively uphold the rule of law in the city.

It will also enhance its explanatory efforts through various channels, including inviting overseas people to engage in international events in Hong Kong such as international legal forums, enabling them to experience and understand its actual situation first hand.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

​Hong Kong Customs detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (October 27) and seized a total of about four kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 12kg of suspected ketamine, with a total estimated market value of about $7.9 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

In the first case, a 26-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Paris, France, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a batch of suspected cocaine, weighing about 4kg with an estimated market value of about $2.4 million, concealed in the false compartment of his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, a 50-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Paris, France, via Doha, Qatar, on the same day. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a batch of suspected ketamine, weighing about 12kg with an estimated market value of about $5.5 million, in her check-in suitcase. The woman was subsequently arrested.

For the first case, an investigation is still ongoing. The arrested woman in the second case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, and she will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on October 30. 

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 to 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).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced today (October 28) that leading global trading firm IMC Trading (IMC) has expanded its Hong Kong office located in Central and plans to grow its local team. IMC aims to strengthen its role in the local market, scale its regional footprint, and continue driving global trading innovation from Hong Kong.
      
     The Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, congratulated IMC on its expansion. She said, “IMC’s expansion in Hong Kong demonstrates the city’s appeal as a premier financial hub in the Asia Pacific. Hong Kong offers leading fintech firms like IMC access to a deep talent pool, proximity to major exchanges, and a supportive ecosystem for financial innovation. We look forward to seeing IMC thrive in the city and beyond.”
      
     “The city’s unique combination of a sophisticated capital market, and its role as a ‘super-connector’ and ‘super value-adder’ to other Asia Pacific markets, makes it an ideal launchpad for companies to scale their operations,” she added.
      
     The Managing Director of IMC’s Hong Kong office, Mr Andrew Fong, highlighted Hong Kong’s strengths as a leading financial hub in Asia Pacific with access to top-tier quant, technology and trading talent; its proximity to key exchanges and regulatory bodies; and strong government support for financial innovation and talent attraction. “We see strong long-term prospects in expanding our trading strategies, as well as building new research capabilities in emerging areas like AI and machine learning. We are actively seeking researchers, traders and engineers to join our expanding Hong Kong office,” he said.
      
     IMC is a proprietary trading firm headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. With a global presence across Europe, the United States and the Asia Pacific, IMC provides liquidity in futures, options, equities and Exchange Traded Funds. Since establishing its Hong Kong office in 2006, IMC has become a key player on Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and one of the top participants in the securities market. The firm leverages advanced quantitative research and AI to contribute to market liquidity and efficiency through its technology-driven strategies.
            
     For more details about IMC, visit www.imc.com.
                
     For a copy of the photo, visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720329958508.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health announced today (October 28) that frontline TACO officers will start using smart tools for issuing fixed penalty notices (FPNs) from October 30. This initiative will streamline procedures, improve data accuracy and enhance enforcement efficiency.

Frontline TACO officers are empowered to enforce the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), which includes taking prosecution actions against individuals who smoke in statutory no-smoking areas or on public transport carriers.

Currently, TACO officers need to manually fill in offenders’ personal details on printed FPNs during enforcement. Staff in the back office then check the information and input it into the backend system.

Starting October 30, when issuing FPNs to offenders, TACO officers will be able to scan offenders’ Hong Kong identity (HKID) cards using an electronic system, which will instantly import the offender’s personal details, such as name and HKID number, into the FPN. The system will also automatically record the time, location and details of the enforcement officers. Officers will print the FPNs on the spot using portable printers and issue them to the offenders. The data will be automatically synchronised with the backend system, saving processing time and manpower needs in the back office while improving overall efficiency.

Neither TACO officers nor the relevant mobile application will store images of the offenders’ HKID cards. The personal data collected during enforcement will remain the same as that currently recorded manually.

The Director of Health, empowered under section 17A of the Fixed Penalty (Smoking Offences) Ordinance (Cap. 600), has specified the formats for both handwritten and mobile-printed FPNs (see Annex). Although the two versions of FPNs differ slightly in format, their content is identical and both carry the same legal effect. Offenders may still be issued handwritten FPNs by TACO or other law enforcement departments.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Youth Employment Start (Y.E.S.) of the Labour Department will hold the Chill Bazaar 2025 – Entrepreneurship Experience Day, at the Atrium of Mira Place 1, Tsim Sha Tsui, from noon to 8pm on November 1 and 2. Members of the public are welcome to visit.

The event offers business members of Y.E.S. a chance to set up retail stalls for free in the bazaar and gain entrepreneurship experience. This year, Y.E.S. received over 80 applications for the Entrepreneurship Experience Day, and 25 teams were chosen to participate after a screening and selection process. The selected members are provided with comprehensive support services by Y.E.S. and a professional consultant, including training, a one-on-one consultation prior to the event, on-the-spot support services and post-event reviews.

This year’s bazaar will feature 25 stalls selling a diverse range of handcrafted and innovative products such as handicrafts, cultural and creative products, cultural crafts, handcrafted ceramics, and eco-friendly and aromatherapy products. Visitors can explore and shop for these unique products from various retail stalls, vote for the retail stalls with the respective awards of the Most Attractive Product, Most Distinctive Stall Decoration, and Best Customer Service at the bazaar, and receive a souvenir. Moreover, visitors will receive tokens after their purchases for participating in games and taking photos at the photo booths on-site.

During the bazaar, Y.E.S. will also set up a counter to introduce its free one-stop comprehensive employment, training, and self-employment support services offered to members aged 15 to 29. Eligible young people who complete the on-site membership registration will receive exclusive welcome gifts. For more details, please visit the Y.E.S. website (www.e-start.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) Asia-Pacific (APAC) Annual Forum 2025 today (October 28):
 
Jack (Chief Executive Officer of the AIMA, Mr Jack Inglis), Michael (Managing Director and Co-head of APAC, AIMA, Mr Michael Bugel), Kher Sheng (Managing Director and Co-head of APAC, AIMA, Mr Lee Kher-sheng), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     It is a great honour to address you today at the AIMA APAC Annual Forum 2025, here in the vibrant heart of Hong Kong. I am delighted to join over 600 senior leaders from the alternative investment sector — pioneers who shape the future of global finance. AIMA, as the preeminent voice for our industry across more than 60 locations, plays an indispensable role in advocating for innovation, sound governance and sustainable growth. This forum is a testament to our shared commitment to navigating the complexities of today’s markets, and I thank you for the opportunity to contribute to these vital discussions.
 
     Let us begin by reflecting on the dynamic landscape of the global alternative investment sector. This year has underscored a profound resilience and appetite for alternatives amid persistent market uncertainties. Institutional allocators, in particular, demonstrate unwavering confidence: AIMA’s research indicates 46 per cent plan to increase their hedge fund allocations over the coming year, drawn to strategies that deliver uncorrelated returns, capital efficiency, and also tailored customisation. Record inflows continue to surge into non-traditional equity, private credit, and digital assets, validating alternatives as a cornerstone of diversified portfolios. Private credit and private equity, in particular, remain firmly at the very core of institutional strategies, bolstered by robust deal activity and also steady capital deployment — especially in high-growth regions like the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, where structural reforms are unlocking long-term capital flows.
 
     Also, technology and innovation are no longer peripheral but central to our evolution. AIMA’s latest findings reveal that 58 per cent of managers now anticipate ramping up generative AI integration in their investment processes — a sharp rise from 2023 — while investors more commonly incorporate AI-specific due diligence into their assessments. Cybersecurity and digital assets have similarly transitioned to mainstream imperatives, enabling enhanced risk management and new investment opportunities.
 
     Regulatory and governance imperatives further define this era, with global policy forums — many convened by AIMA — emphasising adaptive frameworks and industry-led standards, particularly for private market strategies. Geopolitical tensions, once viewed solely as hazards and risks, are increasingly reframed as alpha opportunities, necessitating dynamic hedging and robust risk budgeting as prerequisites for outperformance. These trends, as AIMA aptly captures, affirm the sector’s vitality: robust institutional demand and record fundraising cement alternatives’ pivotal role, while emerging opportunities in AI, private credit, and policy evolution call for agility and ceaseless innovation.
 
     Hong Kong stands at the very epicentre of this global momentum, uniquely positioned under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle to bridge international capital with Asia’s inexhaustible opportunities. Our city is not merely a participant in these trends but an accelerator, leveraging our highly open, internationalised market as seen in today’s audience; our robust rule of law; and our regulatory alignment with leading global jurisdictions. With assets under management surpassing HK$35 trillion — 11 times our GDP — and net fund inflows reaching HK$705 billion last year alone, followed by HK$340 billion in the first eight months of this year, Hong Kong reaffirms its stature as Asia’s foremost hub for alternative investments. Home to over 650 private equity firms managing nearly US$228 billion and more than 2,700 single family offices, we are Asia’s largest cross-boundary wealth management centre, with projections positioning us to claim global primacy in the coming years.
 
     In alignment with the trends AIMA has identified, the Hong Kong Government is advancing a comprehensive policy agenda to nurture this ecosystem. Central to our efforts is the enhancement of our preferential tax regimes for funds, single family offices, and carried interest — measures designed to attract and retain the institutional capital that fuels private equity and credit strategies. Under our existing framework, publicly offered funds are already exempt from profits tax, while a targeted ordinance has provided tax relief for carried interest distributed by eligible private equity funds since May 2021.
 
     Building on this foundation, we are finalising proposals this year to broaden these concessions further. These include expanding the scope of qualifying transactions to encompass emissions derivatives, carbon credits, insurance-linked securities, loans, private credit investments, and digital assets; refining the carried interest regime by removing the regulator’s certification requirement and the hurdle rate reference; and extending exemptions to pension and endowment funds. We target submission of the legislative bill to the Legislative Council in the first half of next year, with implementation from the year of assessment 2025/26. These reforms directly respond to the sector’s call for capital efficiency and customisation, enabling managers to deploy resources more effectively while mitigating fiscal barriers to innovation in Asia-Pacific’s growth corridors.
 
     Equally pivotal is our drive to facilitate the listing of alternative asset funds, fostering deeper liquidity and investor access in line with the rising demand for resilient strategies. In February this year, our regulator issued a circular clarifying regulatory requirements for closed-ended funds investing primarily in private and less liquid assets — such as private equity, private credit, and infrastructure, to list here in Hong Kong. This guidance emphasises management competence, diversified portfolios, robust distribution policies, rigorous valuation standards and comprehensive disclosures, while allowing flexibility to suit diverse strategies. Preferentially, we encourage sizeable funds with regular income streams, and the regulator may impose additional conditions, modify requirements or allow flexibility in compliance with certain requirements, having regard to the fund’s nature and investment strategy. Complementing this, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority clarified in May this year that MPF funds may invest in approved listed private equity funds, capped at 10 per cent of net asset value to balance diversification benefits with risk safeguards. This opens new channels for institutional inflows, supporting the record fundraising and private market vitality that AIMA just highlighted.
 
     To amplify our appeal to single family offices and global wealth owners — the nimble stewards of bespoke, long-term capital — we launched the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme in March last year, enriching our pool of wealth owners and injecting fresh allocators into the alternatives space. Our third Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit in March this year also convened global family offices, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. These initiatives, coupled with tax concessions for single family offices and a dedicated FamilyOfficeHK team in our Invest Hong Kong which is the investment promotion agency in the Government, position Hong Kong as a sanctuary for the transparency and governance that allocators now demand.  Moreover, our ongoing diversification of fund structures — through the Open-ended Fund Company and Limited Partnership Fund regimes, alongside re-domiciliation mechanisms — facilitates seamless migration and innovation, aligning with the sector’s embrace of technology and regional divergence.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, these policies are not isolated measures but a cohesive strategy to propel Hong Kong’s alternatives sector forward, in harmony with global currents. By deepening mutual market access with the Mainland — through enhancements to Stock Connect, Bond Connect, and the Mutual Recognition of Funds arrangement — we are channelling Asia’s structural tailwinds into tangible opportunities for hedge funds, private equity, and beyond. As we explore innovative offerings like offshore Mainland government bond futures and inclusion of RMB counters in Southbound Stock Connect, we reinforce Hong Kong’s role as the indispensable gateway for risk-managed growth.
 
     In closing, the trends before us demand partnership, and Hong Kong is resolute in our collaboration with AIMA and our shared community. Together, we will harness institutional appetite, pioneer technological frontiers and fortify governance to unlock the full promise of alternatives. I very much look forward to the dialogues ahead and to Hong Kong’s continued leadership in this sector. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, will depart for Korea tomorrow (October 29) to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting and other related activities in Gyeongju.
 
     This year, APEC has adopted the theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow”, with discussions focused on three priorities, namely, “Connect”, “Innovate”, “Prosper”.
 
     Apart from attending the APEC Economic Leaders’ Retreat to be held on November 1, Mr Lee will participate in the APEC Economic Leaders’ Informal Dialogue with Guests, the APEC Business Advisory Council Dialogue with APEC Economic Leaders, and the Gala Dinner hosted by the organiser for participating leaders on October 31. Mr Lee will also have bilateral meetings with leaders of the other economies to exchange views on issues of mutual interest. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, will attend the APEC Ministerial Meeting on October 30.
 
     “As an international centre in finance, shipping and trade, Hong Kong attaches great importance to bilateral economic and trade relations with different economies. The APEC member economies are Hong Kong’s important trading partners, accounting for  approximately 80 per cent of Hong Kong’s external trade. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to actively participate in APEC-related matters to contribute to and promote regional economic integration and development,” Mr Lee said.
 
     Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong on November 2. During his absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will be the Acting Chief Executive.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The 2025 Edition of the “Hong Kong Annual Digest of Statistics” was published by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) today (October 28). The Digest is available for downloading at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1010003&scode=460).
 
     The Digest is a comprehensive and convenient collection of official statistics. It contains some 290 statistical tables on a wide range of topics, including:
 
– Population
– Labour
– External trade
– National income and Balance of Payments
– Prices
– Business performance
– Innovation and technology
– Energy
– Housing and property
– Government accounts, finance and insurance
– Transport, communications and tourism
– Education
– Health
– Social welfare
– Law and order
– Culture, entertainment and recreation
– Environment, climate and geography
 
     This Digest aims to provide key annual statistical series on various aspects of the social and economic developments of Hong Kong. Most of the data series presented reflect the latest situation covering a time span of the last decade, enabling readers to understand the trends of development in recent years. Descriptions of the scope of the statistical data and definitions of the terms used in this Digest are provided in the “Concepts and methods” in each chapter.
 
     Enquiries about the “Hong Kong Annual Digest of Statistics” can be directed to the Statistical Information Dissemination Section (1) of the C&SD (tel: 2582 5073; email: gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 28) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in areas in Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, Italy and the United States (US), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the relevant areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     The relevant areas are as follows:

Sweden
—-
(1) Municipality of Tomelilla

Belgium
—-
(2) Antwerpen Province

Denmark
—-
(3) Assens Municipality

Germany
—-
State of Baden-Württemberg
(4) District of Alb-Donau-Kreis

Canada
—-
Province of Saskatchewan
(5) Rural Municipality of Bayne No. 371

Province of Québec
(6) Charlevoix-Est Regional County Municipality

Province of Manitoba
(7) Rural Municipality of Hanover

Netherlands
—-
(8) Province of Gelderland

Italy
—-
Region of Emilia-Romagna
(9) Province of Forlì-Cesena

US
—-
State of Washington
(10) Grant County

State of Idaho
(11) Latah County

State of Michigan
(12) Ottawa County

State of Utah
(13) Sanpete County

State of Minnesota
(14) Kandiyohi County

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, in the first nine months of this year, while no poultry meat or eggs were imported into Hong Kong from Canada, Hong Kong imported about 20 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Sweden; about 30 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Belgium; about 230 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 180 000 poultry eggs from Denmark; about 60 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Germany; about 150 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from the Netherlands; about 90 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 9 000 poultry eggs from Italy; and about 40 060 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 2.6 million poultry eggs from the US.

     “The CFS has contacted the Swedish, Belgian, Danish, German, Canadian, Dutch, Italian and American authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.