Category: MIL-OSI

CHP investigates measles case imported from Pakistan       
Details of imported measles case
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     The case involves a 14-month-old boy with good past health. He developed a fever on April 22, followed by a rash on April 26. He was brought for medical treatment at a private clinic the next day (April 27). He subsequently developed a cough, runny nose and red eyes on April 28 and was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH). He has been admitted to KWH for treatment in isolation. His clinical specimen tested positive for measles virus upon nucleic acid testing. The patient remains hospitalised in stable condition.
      
     The CHP’s epidemiological investigation revealed that the patient received the first dose of measles vaccination on April 22 (the date of illness onset). However, since vaccines generally require 14 days to produce sufficient antibody protection, and the patient had not yet reached the appropriate age for the second dose of measles vaccination, the patient does not have immunity to measles. The patient had been to Pakistan with his parents from January 19 to April 17. As measles outbreaks have been ongoing in Pakistan and the patient had no contact with anyone infected with measles in Hong Kong, the case is classified as imported.
      
     His two household contacts developed mild symptoms of upper respiratory infections. The CHP has arranged testing for them. Their clinical specimens tested negative for measles virus upon nucleic acid testing.
      
     During the patient’s communicable period (April 22 to 30), he visited the Kowloon City Maternal and Child Health Centre, a private clinic and the Accident and Emergency Department of KWH on April 22, 27 and 28, respectively. The CHP is identifying close contacts and investigating whether any high-risk individuals were involved. As of 4pm today, a total of 95 people have been identified as close contacts of the patient. The CHP will continue to conduct medical surveillance for the close contacts.
      
Measles vaccination booth at airport
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     Currently, measles outbreaks continue to occur worldwide. As airport staff frequently come into contact with large numbers of travellers and a higher proportion of employees working at the airport are not locally born and may not have received measles vaccine during childhood, the risk of measles transmission is higher. During the investigation into the recent cluster involving three airport backend support staff, the CHP found that approximately 30 per cent of airport staff, especially those who were not born in Hong Kong, were unsure whether they had completed the two-dose measles vaccination series. In order to prevent another measles outbreak among airport staff, the CHP has set up a vaccination booth at the airport since April 24 to provide local airport staff with free measles vaccinations. Under the coordination of the CHP and the Airport Authority Hong Kong, more than 800 eligible airport staff members (including the contacts of the above-mentioned measles cluster) have received vaccinations.
           
     The CHP urged all airport staff, especially those non-locally born people, to review their vaccination records as soon as possible. The measles vaccination service targets Hong Kong airport staff who have not received two doses of the measles vaccine and have never had measles. If a Hong Kong airport employee has undergone a blood test confirming a positive reaction to measles antibodies (IgG), vaccination is not required.
 
Non-airport staff should also review their vaccination records
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     Measles outbreaks are currently occurring in many regions around the world. North America (including the United States, Canada and Mexico) and Southeast Asia (including Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines) have seen persistent measles outbreaks in recent years due to low vaccination coverage. About 1 800 cases have been recorded in the United States so far this year, a figure significantly higher than the same period last year. In Europe, the number of measles cases in the United Kingdom and Spain has increased recently, with 442 and 103 cases recorded respectively since January this year. In Asia, the incidence of measles remains high in the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Cambodia. Japan has also seen a substantial rise in cases this year, with 362 cases recorded as of April 22, exceeding the 265 cases recorded last year and marking the highest record since 2019. Singapore and Australia have reported 27 and 92 measles cases respectively this year, also higher than in the same period last year. Most of the overseas cases involved those who were not vaccinated against measles or had an unknown vaccination status, which highlights the importance of maintaining a high vaccination rate and herd immunity within the community.
      
     Hong Kong is a city with a high volume of international travel. It therefore faces the potential risk of importation of the measles virus and its spread in the local community. The CHP’s territory-wide immunisation surveys showed that under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme, the two-dose measles vaccination coverage has remained consistently high, well above 95 per cent, and the local seroprevalence rates of measles virus antibodies reflect that most people in Hong Kong are immune to measles. However, measles is highly contagious. A small number of people who have not completed measles vaccinations (such as non-locally born people including new immigrants, foreign domestic helpers, overseas employees and people coming to Hong Kong for further studies) are still at risk of being infected and spreading measles to others without immunity against measles, such as children under one year old who have not yet received the first dose of the measles vaccine.
      
     In response to the global rise in measles cases and the risk of imported cases, the CHP has earlier issued a letter to all doctors in Hong Kong informing them of the latest measles situation and urging them to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases. In addition to the airport industry mentioned above, the CHP has also sent a letter to foreign domestic helper agencies earlier, encouraging foreign domestic helpers to receive measles vaccination to protect their health and prevent the spread of the virus in the community.
 
     The incubation period of measles (i.e. the time from infection to onset of illness) is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If travellers returning from places with a high incidence or an outbreak of measles develop symptoms of measles (e.g. fever and rash), they should seek medical advice immediately and avoid contact with non-immune individuals, especially pregnant women and infants under one year old. They should also report their symptoms and prior travel history to healthcare workers so that appropriate infection control measures can be implemented at the healthcare facilities to prevent any potential spread.
 
     The Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme introduced a measles vaccine for the first time in 1967. Since then, the incidence of measles has gradually decreased. People born and raised in Hong Kong before 1967 can be considered to have acquired immunity to measles through natural infection, as measles was endemic in Hong Kong at that time. People born in Hong Kong in or after 1967 who have not yet completed the two doses of measles vaccination, or whose measles vaccination history is unknown, should consult their family doctors as soon as possible to complete the vaccination and ensure adequate protection against measles.

     Besides being vaccinated against measles, members of the public should take the following measures to prevent infection:
      For more information on measles, the public may visit the CHP’s measles thematic pageIssued at HKT 20:40

Government sells Kwun Tong site for purpose of electric vehicle fast charging station           
     A spokesperson for the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) said, “To promote the green transformation of vehicles and to achieve zero vehicular emissions before 2050, the Government announced in February this year the Updated Version of the Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles which outlines the updated strategies and measures adopted by the Government to promote the popularisation of EVs, including a multipronged approach and leveraging market forces through policy guidance to build the public charging network with fast chargers as the backbone, thereby fully supporting the adoption of EVs in Hong Kong. The Government put forth through open tender five petrol filling station (PFS) sites in Kowloon Bay, Fo Tan, Tai Po, Tsing Yi and Tseung Kwan O for FCS purposes. The area for retail use in the site of this sale is larger than that of a conventional PFS, allowing operators more flexibility to use such area to meet the needs of EV drivers. The Government will, subject to actual market needs, select suitable PFS sites for conversion into FCSs in a timely manner.”
           
     New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6677 has a site area of 1 022.1 square metres and is designated for EV FCS purposes. Land sale documents, including the forms of tender, tender notice, conditions of sale and sale plan of the lot, are now available on the Lands Department (LandsD) website (www.landsd.gov.hk           
     The spokesperson continued, “In order to encourage owners of taxis and public light buses to expedite the adoption of electric taxis (e-taxis) and electric public light buses (e-PLBs), a charging ceiling price mechanism will be established for e-taxis and e-PLBs at designated FCSs. The operators of designated FCSs cannot charge a price that is higher than the ceiling price to be announced by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) on a monthly basis. The charging price for other EVs will be determined by the market. For details about the calculation of charging ceiling prices for e-taxis and e-PLBs, please refer to the EEB website (www.eeb.gov.hk/en/resources_publications/guidelines/index.html           
     Details of the charging ceiling price will be posted at designated FCSs when they are in operation and announced regularly on the EPD website (www.epd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 11:00

FEHD continues to enhance occupational safety and health as well as working environment of cleansing workers through introduction of new technologies       
     The spokesman said, “Frontline cleansing workers play a crucial role in maintaining environmental hygiene in Hong Kong. Besides continuously reviewing the basic needs of frontline cleansing workers, including ensuring that they are all provided with drinking water, places for short breaks, water for cleansing tools, and toilet facilities in their work zones, the FEHD keeps on refurbishing facilities and bringing in modern tools to further improve their working environment.”
      
     The FEHD attaches great importance to the working and resting environment of frontline cleansing workers. There are some 950 village-type refuse collection points (RCPs)/RCPs with temporary structures under the department’s management. While most of them are located in rural or remote areas and hence are subject to geographical constraints, the FEHD strives to ensure that cleansing workers have access to drinking water, places for short breaks during hot weather, water for cleansing tools, and toilet facilities in their work zones or within a few minutes’ walk. To further enhance the resting environment for workers, the FEHD has installed about 190 solar cooling stations since 2023. These stations are equipped with solar-powered facilities, including air coolers, electric fans, and exhaust fans. Solar-powered and staff convenience facilities have also been added to another 29 staff resting places or village-type RCPs.
      
     Moreover, in newly built or refurbished off-street RCPs since 2020, the FEHD has, depending on the actual site conditions, endeavoured to provide staff with changing and personal storage spaces, facilities for short breaks and meals, as well as amenities such as cold and hot water dispensers, microwave ovens, electric steamers, refrigerators, electric fans, tables and chairs, and power sockets wherever possible. Air conditioning systems will also be installed in the staff resting rooms where feasible.
      
     Heat stroke prevention for staff is of paramount importance. The FEHD has conducted assessments for departmental staff in accordance with the criteria provided in the Labour Department’s Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work, and required contractors to perform similar assessments for their employees. Staff have received written notification of the assessment results, which have also been put up at roll-call points. When the Heat Stress at Work Warning is in effect, the FEHD and its contractors will strictly arrange rest breaks for employees based on the adjusted hourly rest time. In addition, all frontline cleansing workers of the FEHD have been provided with work uniforms that have sweat-wicking, breathable and reflective properties, and are equipped with portable waist-mounted fans to help keep themselves cool.
      
     To enhance OSH protection for contractors’ staff, the FEHD has collaborated with the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel to develop new work shoes and raincoats for cleansing workers. The new work shoes are designed with good breathability, waterproofing, durability, slip resistance, shock absorption and antimicrobial functions, and are incorporated with ergonomic features to reduce the risk of foot injuries. The new raincoats are made from high-quality fabrics that are waterproof, breathable and durable, and with thermoregulation functions. The FEHD has included a new clause in its tender invitations for public cleansing service contracts, requiring contractors to provide such new gear.
      
     To reduce the physical strain on workers, the FEHD has also been introducing new technologies and a range of new electric equipment as follows:
 
(1) Mini dumper trucks: To reduce the instances of rural workers manually pushing waste containers over long distances, the FEHD has added a clause in relevant contracts since 2022, requiring contractors to provide 3.5-tonne mini dumper trucks for the transportation of waste containers. This has significantly improved work efficiency and the OSH level.
 
(2) Electric tractors: To assist workers in conveying large-sized waste containers, the FEHD tested the use of electric tractors with a maximum load of 1 000 kilograms last year. The electric tractors are designed with trailers that are compatible with the commonly used wheeled-type waste containers, and are equipped with autobrakes and flashing lights. The use of electric tractors will be tested in more rural locations this year.
 
(3) Industrial-grade robot dogs: To address challenges posed by remote areas and rugged terrain, the FEHD introduced industrial-grade robot dogs last year for refuse transportation. Each robot dog is capable of carrying loads of over 30kg, navigating slopes and operating for up to six hours. In addition, robot dogs are deployed in anti-mosquito fogging operations to reduce the burden on pest control workers who would otherwise have to wear full protective gear for working in woodlands.
 
(4) Stairlifts: The FEHD is testing the use of stairlifts to transport large ultra-low volume foggers along stairs uphill for large-scale mosquito control operations. This will not only reduce the physical strain on workers who would otherwise need to carry the equipment up the hill, but also expand the coverage of mosquito control.
 
(5) Electrically assisted trolleys: The FEHD is working with the Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to further optimise the design of electrically assisted trolleys by adding autobrakes and improving the water resistance of their batteries. The newly designed trolleys are foldable with a maximum load of 100kg, and are equipped with safety features, such as reflective edges, horns, rear lights and dual braking systems that work electrically and mechanically, which can effectively reduce the risk of the trolleys speeding forward out of control when transporting heavy loads downslope. It is expected that the trolleys will be distributed to frontline cleansing workers for trial use in the second quarter of this year.
 
     The FEHD has long placed emphasis on the safety of cleansing workers working on the roads, and on providing relevant training. To reduce the risks faced by staff working on the roads, the department has widely deployed more than 10 teams of new mechanical street sweepers in various districts to sweep roads, footbridges and central dividers and replace manual sweeping. Furthermore, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Regulation (Cap. 509A), contractors have a duty to ensure the safety and health of their employees at work as far as practicable. The FEHD has stipulated in service contracts requiring the employment of non-skilled workers that contractors shall undertake to provide their employees with the necessary training (including OSH training in relation to the provision of the specified services) and to ensure that all employees, in performing the specified services, must wear special protective clothing and gear (such as work uniforms that have reflective properties and trolleys fitted with reflective materials) as considered essential or appropriate by the Government. On the other hand, the FEHD has been providing departmental staff with adequate protective clothing and gear, as well as OSH information and relevant training to ensure that they have sufficient safety awareness.
      
     The spokesman stressed that the FEHD will continue to proactively explore and introduce more suitable technologies and gear to keep pace with the times, so as to continue improving the working environment for cleansing workers.
Issued at HKT 11:00

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Funding Scheme for Public Engagement Projects of Built Heritage Conservation Fund opens for new round of applications 
    In the previous round of the Funding Scheme (Batch II Round I), four projects were approved for funding in 2024. A variety of public engagement activities were organised by the funded organisations, including fun days, exhibitions, thematic lectures, guided tours of historic buildings and workshops, drawing over 21 000 participants so far.
 
     The new round of the Funding Scheme is now open for applications. Local non-profit organisations with experience in built heritage conservation are encouraged to submit their proposals. The three priority project themes of this round are “Places to Visit: Historic Buildings in Hong Kong”, “Tell Good Stories of Hong Kong through Built Heritage” and “Historic Buildings and Daily Life in Hong Kong: Health, Hygiene and Social Services”. Applicants may submit project proposals based on the above themes. The funding ceiling for each approved project is $2,000,000.
    
    Eligible applications will be assessed by the Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation. The Government will announce the results and notify the successful applicants upon completion of the assessment. The application form and guide to application can be downloaded from the website of the Commissioner for Heritage’s Office (www.heritage.gov.hk/en/funding-schemes-for-public-engagement-projects/funding-scheme-for-public-engagement-projects/index.html      
     For enquiries, please contact the Secretariat of the BHCF at 2906 1546/2906 1547 by telephone or via email at bhcf_enquiry@devb.gov.hkIssued at HKT 11:00