CHP investigates case of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 15) investigating a case of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection, and hence reminded the public to maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene against intestinal infections.
The case involves a 47-year-old male with good past health, who presented with abdominal pain and diarrhoea on September 23. He attended Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital (HKSH)on September 26, September 27 and October 3. His condition was stable and did not require hospitalisation.
His stool specimen grew STEC upon laboratory testing.
Initial enquiries of the CHP revealed that the patient had travelled to the Mainland during the incubation period. His travel collateral has remained asymptomatic so far. Information from the patient revealed that he did not consume any high-risk food (such as raw meat and unpasteurised dairy products) during the incubation period. As the patient worked at the HKSH Canteen (address: 4/F, Li Shu Pui Block, HKSH, Happy Valley) and was responsible for handling siu mei, the CHP is contacting other relevant staff members of the restaurant to follow up their health conditions.
Symptoms of STEC infection include abdominal cramps and diarrhoea that may in some cases progress to bloody diarrhoea. Fever and vomiting may also occur.The CHP appealsto persons who have patronised the above restaurant from September 23 onwards and have experienced relevant symptoms to seek medical attention immediately.
The investigations of the CHP are ongoing.
"Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium that is commonly found in the gut of humans and warm-blooded animals. Most strains of E. coli are harmless. Some strains, however, such as STEC, can produce powerful toxins and cause severe food-borne disease. The most recognised serogroup of STEC is E. coli O157:H7," a spokesman for the CHP explained.
Preventive measures for STEC infection are similar to those recommended for other food-borne diseases. The public are advised to observe good personal and food hygiene:
- Adopt the Five Keys to Food Safety in handling food, i.e. Choose (choose safe raw materials), Clean (keep hands and utensils clean), Separate (separate raw and cooked food), Cook (cook thoroughly) and Safe Temperature (keep food at a safe temperature) to prevent food-borne diseases;
- Wash hands properly with liquid soap and water before handling food, after handling raw meat or poultry and before eating, and after going to the toilet or changing diapers;
- Cook food and boil water thoroughly before consumption. When cooking or reheating, the core temperature of the food should reach at least 75 degrees Celsius;
- Avoid consumption of unpasteurised milk or undercooked food; and
- Consult your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of STEC infection, particularly bloody diarrhoea.
The public may visit the CHP'sSTEC pagefor more information.
Free use of leisure and cultural facilities on October 1 for National Day celebration
To celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will open a number of fee-charging facilities for free use by members of the public on October 1 (Thursday), including:
- Indoor leisure facilities: badminton courts, basketball courts, netball courts, volleyball courts, squash courts, table tennis tables, American pool tables, billiard tables, sport climbing walls*, bowling greens, golf facilities, fitness rooms*, activity rooms, a cycling track*, tennis courts and dance rooms;
- Outdoor leisure facilities: tennis courts, tennis practice courts, bowling greens, batting cages, archery ranges* and golf facilities (excluding camp facilities, sports grounds as well as artificial and natural turf pitches);
- Public swimming pools (excluding Wan Chai Swimming Pool; and swimming pools temporarily closed for annual maintenance, namely, the Island East Swimming Pool, Tai Kok Tsui Swimming Pool, Ho Man Tin Swimming Pool, Tsing Yi Southwest Swimming Pool, Tung Cheong Street Swimming Pool and Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Swimming Pool); and
- Crafts at water sports centres* (recreational kayaks, pedal-driven boats, sampans and colour boats at Chong Hing Water Sports Centre are available for free use by campers only).
(* Users are required to possess the relevant qualification certificates.)
The free-of-charge sessions will be allocated through balloting. Details are as follows:
| Date of free use | Submission of balloting application | Announcement of balloting results | Announcement of remaining sessions | First come first served for remaining sessions |
| October 1 | September 22 (From 0.00am to 11.59pm) | September 23 | September 24 | September 25 |
(From 0.00am to 11.59pm)
Members of the public may make ballot applications via the SmartPLAY system as individual users in accordance with the above timetable. Each application may cover a maximum of three choices. Applicants may revise the choices in their lodged applications via the SmartPLAY system before the application closing time (i.e. 11.59pm on September 22). Successful applicants will be notified by the SmartPLAY system.
SmartPLAY users who have not been allocated any free session by ballot or have not made any application may book the remaining sessions on a first-come, first-served basis in accordance with the above timetable (i.e. on September 25) through the following channels:
(i) "iAM Smart" users: to log into the My SmartPLAY mobile app with priority to make bookings from 7am;
(ii) Users not using "iAM Smart": to log into the My SmartPLAY mobile app, the official SmartPLAY website, smart self-service stations or service counters at various leisure venues to make bookings from 7.15am; and
(iii) Users aged under 11: as "iAM Smart" is for use by persons aged 11 or above, SmartPLAY users aged under 11 may make bookings through the My SmartPLAY mobile app from 7am.
Each successful applicant will only be allocated one free session, whether through balloting or first-come, first-served booking.
The LCSD appeals to successful applicants to arrive on time to make the best use of the booked facilities. All users should observe the Conditions of Use of LCSD Recreation and Sports Facilities (the Conditions) as set out on the LCSD website www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/condition/index.html (including the "no-show/not present during the use of the booked sessions" penalty). If a successful applicant fails to take up a booked session on time, the arrangements stipulated in the Conditions will apply. For enquiry, please call 2414 5555 or visit the dedicated website www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/freeuseday/index.html.
No prior application will be required for using public swimming pool facilities. Members of the public may line up at the entrances of swimming pools before the start of a session. Free admission is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, while the quota lasts.
On October 1, admission to all museums and art spaces of the LCSD will be free. The Space Theatre of the Hong Kong Space Museum will screen the Sky Show "Shenzhou 13 - Space Travel" for five free sessions at 11am, 12.15pm, 1.30pm, 2.45pm and 4pm respectively. From 10am on September 22 to noon on September 23, members of the public may make ballot applications on URBTIX. Each application covers one session with two tickets. Applicants who make duplicate applications will be disqualified from the balloting. Successful applicants from computer balloting will receive their e-tickets via email on September 24. For details, please visit the website of the Hong Kong Space Museum at hk.space.museum.
To facilitate the Police's implementation of special crowd management measures at the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade area for the National Day fireworks display on October 1, the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Space Museum will close at 5pm on that day.
Source: AI-found images
