Mysterious red tides: a sight to behold
Ten red tides have been sighted over the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (April 26).
On April 21, staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) spotted the first red tide at Silverstrand Beach, Sai Kung. On April 24, LCSD staff spotted five red tides at South Bay Beach, Turtle Cove Beach, Shek O Beach, Repulse Bay Beach and Deep Water Bay Beach on Hong Kong Island respectively. On the same day, staff of the Marine Department spotted two red tides at Stanley Bay and Repulse Bay respectively. Members of the public also spotted two red tides at eastern waters of Hong Kong (near Wang Chau and Basalt Island) and Clear Water Bay to Joss House Bay respectively.
The red tides at South Bay Beach, Repulse Bay Beach, Stanley Bay, Repulse Bay and Clear Water Bay to Joss House Bay still persist, while the other five red tides have dissipated. No associated fish deaths have been reported as of today.
A spokesman for the working group said, "The above red tides were formed by Noctiluca scintillans, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and is non-toxic."
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Ma Nam Wat, Kau Sai, Kai Lung Wan, Tai Tau Chau, Leung Shuen Wan, Tiu Cham Wan, Po Toi O, Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan, Po Toi and Tung Lung Chau fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.
Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.
Source: AI-generated images
Chp on the hunt for mpox culprit
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (May 6) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, and urged the public to heighten vigilance and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox. Meanwhile, high-risk target groups are advised to receive Mpox vaccination.
The case involves a 61-year-old male patient with underlying diseases. He had developed skin rash since April 27. He visited the Yau Ma Tei Male Social Hygiene Clinic of the DH on May 2. He is in stable condition and arrangements have been made for him to be admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital.
According to the patient, he had high-risk contacts during his visit to Big Top HK Limited, a recreational premises on Nathan Road, Mong Kok, on April 13 and 20. Furthermore, he visited Thailand between April 25 and 30. According to the patient, he had high-risk exposure in Thailand. An initial investigation revealed that no epidemiological linkages between this case and other confirmed cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier have been found so far. The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations of the case and will report the case to the World Health Organization.
The CHP appeals again to high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccination with a view to lowering the risk of infection or the possibility of having more severe symptoms after infection. Persons who experience Mpox symptoms (including rashes, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches) or suspect themselves of being infected are advised to seek medical attention and receive treatment at once, and they should not engage in activities with others during which other people may have contact with their skin rash or body fluids. Members of the public should maintain good personal and hand hygiene to prevent virus transmission or infection through contact. They should also avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of infection.
The CHP had earlier set up an Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373). The hotline operates from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9am to 5pm, which enables those who suspect or are concerned they have had high-risk contact with confirmed patients, in particular men who have sex with men or those who have sexual practices with strangers, to make enquiries and receive relevant health advice. The CHP appeals to the public who have visited the premises on the above-mentioned dates, and those who suspect they have had high-risk contact with confirmed patients, to call the Mpox telephone hotline as soon as possible.
The DH provides vaccination service for high-risk groups of MPox. The following high-risk target groups can receive Mpox vaccination on a voluntary basis:
Individuals with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;
Healthcare workersresponsible forcaringofpatients with confirmed Mpox;
Laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and
Animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of Mpox occurrence in animals in Hong Kong.
High-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at all of the DH's Social Hygiene Service Clinics (SocHS) (namely Chai Wan SocHS,Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS,Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS). Further information of the clinics including their locations is available atwww.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcf.htmlandwww.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcm.html.
Meanwhile, the DH's Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre, and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital will also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.
âFor more details, please visit the CHP's page onMpox.
Source: AI-generated images
