CHP Investigating Confirmed Monkeypox Case: Urges Vigilance and Vaccinations

2024-08-02 17:15 Last Updated At：08-03 00:50

CHP investigates confirmed Mpox case

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (August 2) 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 vaccinations.

The case involves a 30-year-old male patient with good past health. He developed a skin rash on July 26. He visited private doctors on July 27 and 31, and attended the Yau Ma Tei MaleSocial Hygiene Clinic of the DH on July 31. 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 history of high-risk exposure in Hong Kong during the incubation period. 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 vaccinations 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 DH provides vaccination services for high-risk groups of MPox. The following high-risk target groups can receive Mpox vaccinations on a voluntary basis:

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.

For more details, please visit the CHP's page onMpox.

60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong Kicks Off with Thematic Events for Youth

2025-04-05 12:50 Last Updated At：12:58

Home and Youth Affairs Bureau launches "60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong" thematic event series

The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, today (April 5) officiated at the kick-off ceremony of the "60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong" thematic event series. The year 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong. To commemorate and celebrate this remarkable milestone, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) will organise and provide a series of thematic activities for young people.

Speaking at the ceremony, Miss Mak said that six decades ago, Dongjiang water was first diverted through mountains and valleys into the Hong Kong waterways, resolving the prolonged water scarcity that had plagued the city. Subsequently, the country expanded and upgraded the water supply system three times. Today, Dongjiang water accounts for over 70 per cent of Hong Kong's freshwater supply. Every drop of water carries the profound sentiments of a national commitment spanning over half a century. Through the various activities organised under the theme of "60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong", the HYAB aims to enhance young people's understanding of the history of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong and the significant role that Dongjiang water has played in Hong Kong, enabling the youth to appreciate the substantial support rendered by the country to Hong Kong and strengthening their awareness on cherishing water resources.

The Youth Link will organise the "Exchange Tour to Guangdong Province for the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong" (the Exchange Tour) on April 12 and 13 as the debut thematic activity. Around 80 Youth Link members will visit national major water conservancy projects and cultural and historical sites in Guangdong Province. Taking this opportunity, the HYAB will also arrange for the Youth Link members to meet and exchange with local youth and Hong Kong youth residing in the area.

Besides, the HYAB, in collaboration with the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, will lead 500 young people to visit and explore the source of the Dongjiang River at Sanbai Mountain and its surrounding regions in June this year. The HYAB will also collaborate with different youth organisations and provide funding support under the "HYAB Funding Scheme for Youth Exchange in the Mainland 2025-26" for around 30 exchange projects under the theme of "60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong". The visits will cover water conservancy projects and historical and cultural sites in the Sanbai Mountain in Jiangxi Province, as well as in Dongguan, Huizhou, Heyuan in Guangdong Province, enabling the young people to learn more about the history, management and protection of the Dongjiang water engineering project, as well as the culture and history along the areas.

Miss Mak encouraged young people to seize these valuable opportunities and actively participate in relevant activities to learn more about the story of Dongjiang water and pass on the spirit of gratitude. Miss Mak expressed her hope to work with young people together in future in cherishing this precious resources which has not come easily, and create for a better tomorrow.

Other officiating guests included the Vice-Chairman of the Youth Development Commission (YDC), Mr Kenneth Leung; the Commissioner for Youth, Mr Eric Chan; member of the YDC Mr John Li; and the Chairman of Dynamic Youth of Huizhou, also the collaborative partner of the Exchange Tour, Mr George Lau.Members of the YDC also attended the event.