Dengue fever: what you need to know now
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 19) reported the latest number of dengue fever (DF) cases, and urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.
From April 12 to yesterday (April 18), the CHP recorded four imported DF cases. The patients had been to Indonesia (three cases) and Thailand (one case) respectively during the incubation period.
As of yesterday, 17 imported cases of DF had been recorded in 2024. In 2023, 62 imported cases of DF were recorded.
According to the WHO, the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2023, ongoing transmission, combined with an unexpected spike in DF cases, has resulted in close to a historic high of over 5 million cases and more than 5 000 dengue-related deaths reported in over 80 countries/territories. The latest surveillance data shows that there is an increase in DF cases noted in some places in Asia (such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand) compared to the same period last year. Since the beginning of 2024, the Americas, including Brazil, Argentina and Peru, have recorded over 3 million cases, reaching a record number of cases. Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/df_imported_cases_and_overseas_figures_eng.pdf).
"Apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor," a spokesman for the CHP said.
The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.
DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Reapply only when needed and follow the instructions.
* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook PageandYouTube Channel.
Source: AI-generated images
Have your say: proposed changes to private columbaria regulations up for public debate
The Government today (May 2) launched a public consultation on the proposed amendments to the Private Columbaria Ordinance (Cap. 630). Members of the public are welcome to offer their views.
Coming into effect on June 30, 2017, the Ordinance has established a licensing regime in order to regulate private columbaria, ensure their compliance with statutory and government requirements, enhance protection of consumer interests, and foster adoption of a sustainable mode of operation by the industry. Matters relating to the operation of private columbaria that have been in operation and with ashes interred in their niches before the Government's initial announcement of its proposal to establish a licensing regime (i.e. pre-cut-off columbaria) are handled through a pragmatic and sensitive approach. The Government has reviewed the Ordinance in the light of operational experiences. It proposes to amend certain provisions of the Ordinance and enhance the implementation details to achieve more effective execution of the regulatory regime on private columbaria.
Major proposed amendments under consultation include:
1. Offering the option of applying for exemption to pre-cut-off columbaria that fulfils the relevant eligibility requirements and conditions, so that if their licence applications are eventually refused, they may continue to operate at their current confined scale if they opt to apply and are subsequently granted with an exemption, thereby averting massive displacement of interred ashes and minimising losses of the purchasers of niches;
2.Increasing the penalty for non-compliance with enforcement notices to enhance deterrence against violations;
3.Introducing a new offence to criminalise certain violations, including the sale of interment rights exceeding the ash interment capacity, the sale or leasing of unapproved niches, and the sale of interment rights when authorisation to sell interment rights has been revoked or suspended;
4.Specifying the conditions to be met for the Private Columbaria Appeal Board to consider new evidence submitted by appellants; and
5.Stipulating that the Ordinance is not applicable to registered masons meeting specified conditions.
The Government spokesman said, "The Government handles pre-cut-off columbaria with a pragmatic and sensitive approach, with a view to rectifying violations that existed before the establishment of the licensing regime, while avoiding the social disruption arising from massive displacement of interred ashes or the inability to inter ashes in the niches purchased in advance by deceased persons upon the closing down of such private columbaria. To balance the general public's interest, the legislative review also fully takes into account the impact of pre-cut-off columbaria on the nearby traffic, the environment and the neighbourhood in general, as well as existing town planning procedures. The Government briefed the Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene on the direction of the legislative amendment proposals in February 2024. The public consultation is to invite views from different sectors of society to enhance the regulatory regime on private columbaria."
The consultation paper has been uploaded to the website of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/public_consultation/pco2024.html). A Feedback Form is provided in the annex of the consultation paper. Members of the public may send their views by post (addressed to Private Columbaria Affairs Office of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, P.O. Box 80011, Cheung Sha Wan Post Office), fax (2827 2908), or email (pco_review@fehd.gov.hk) from today till June 2, 2024.
Source: AI-generated images
