CHP investigates confirmed Mpox case
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (July 9) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, and strongly urged high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccinations. Meanwhile, the public is advised to be vigilant and avoid close physical contact with individuals suspected of contracting Mpox.
The case involves a 41-year-old male. He developed a fever and a rash over his genital area on July 2, followed by swelling of lymph nodes in his groin area on July 7. He sought medical treatment at the DH's Male Social Hygiene Clinic (SocHS) and was subsequently admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital for isolation treatment. He is currently in stable condition.
According to information provided by the patient, he had not received Mpox vaccination before the onset of symptoms. During the incubation period, he travelled to Taiwan alone and had high-risk exposure during his stay there. It cannot be ruled out that he was infected as a result. No epidemiological linkages between this case and confirmed Mpox cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier could be identified so far. The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigation of the case and will report the case to the World Health Organization and the health authority in Taiwan.
Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 93 Mpox cases (74 local cases and 19 imported cases), including the above-mentioned case. All patients were males. Epidemiological investigations revealed that most cases had high-risk sexual behaviour, including having sex with strangers or having sex without wearing condoms.
The Mpox vaccine can prevent infection and severe disease. The DH provides Mpox vaccination services for highrisk groups. The following high-risk target groups are eligible for Mpox vaccinations 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 forcaring forpatients with confirmed Mpox;
- laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and
- animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in caseof Mpox occurrences in animals in Hong Kong.
High-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at any of the DH's Social Hygiene Service Clinics (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) and the DH's Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre, without prior appointments.
Meanwhile, the DH's Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.
Mpox is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols in general, and transmission would not occur through social contact. The CHP reminds the public, especially those at higher risks of exposure, to take precautions and avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of being infected. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they experience relevant symptoms, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches. They should not engage in activities with others that may involve contact with skin rash or body fluids.
For more details, please visit the CHP's page onMpoxandMpox Vaccination Programme.
Source: AI-found images
Contract for development of Advanced Construction Industry Building in Tsing Yi awarded
The Development Bureau (DEVB) today (July 9) announced that the contract for the development of the Advanced Construction Industry Building (ACIB) in Tsing Yi has been awarded to Hong Kong Smart Construction Industry Park Limited (HKSCIP), whose holding company is China State Construction International Holdings Limited. The contract signing ceremony was held today.
With a site area of about three hectares and a contract period of 30 years, the ACIB is Hong Kong's first advanced construction industry park. It aims to support the industry in enhancing productivity, quality, safety and sustainability levels, while providing more stable support for the long-term infrastructure and housing development of Hong Kong.
Speaking at the contract signing ceremony, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said that the ACIB development project is a landmark project, playing a leading role in the development of the construction industry in Hong Kong. The ACIB, positioned as an integrated advanced manufacturing base, brings together steel reinforcing bar (rebar) prefabrication, production of Multi-trade Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP) modules, and the provision of other advanced manufacturing facilities, while simultaneously conducting research and development and training, among others, thereby generating synergistic effects to more effectively promote the development of advanced construction technologies. The project adopts a public-private partnership model of "Build, Operate, and Transfer" (BOT), under which the successful tenderer is responsible for the financing, design, construction and operation of the ACIB in accordance with the specifications and service requirements designated by the Government. In addition to introducing market technologies, operational experience, and innovation capabilities, this model helps the Government and the industry jointly drive the upgrading and transformation of the construction sector, creating a showcase of sustainable advanced construction development.
The DEVB earlier launched an open tender for the project under a two-envelope approach, with the weighting of 70 per cent and 30 per cent allocated to the assessment of the technical proposal and the fee proposal respectively. The Tender Assessment Panel evaluated the two tenders received in accordance with the criteria set out in the tender documents. HKSCIP achieved higher combined scores in both technical and fee proposals, and its tender price is $808 million.
In accordance with the requirements set out in the tender documents, HKSCIP will provide in the ACIB (1) not less than 15 000 square metres of floor area for steel rebar prefabrication yards; (2) not less than 5 000 sq m of floor area for MiMEP processing sites; and (3) not less than 5 000 sq m of floor area for lease to the industry for operating steel rebar prefabrication yards or MiMEP processing sites. The successful tenderer shall be responsible for operating (1) and (2), which must possess a minimum annual production capacity of 300 000 tonnes of prefabricated steel rebar and 6 000 MiMEP modules.
HKSCIP also proposed a substantial increase in the total gross floor area of the building facilities to about 40 000 sq m, which exceeds the basic requirement by nearly 15 000 sq m. It also proposed the adoption of advanced machinery and equipment, artificial intelligence, Building Information Modelling and smart management systems, among others, to further enhance the production capacity of the steel reinforcing bar prefabrication yards and the MiMEP processing yards.
In addition, HKSCIP proposed to provide a concrete batching plant for producing innovative materials such as ultra-high-performance concrete and low-carbon concrete, in order to support the industry in adopting more efficient and environmentally friendly construction materials. Training, research and development facilities will also be provided.
The Government will monitor the implementation by HKSCIP of its technical proposal and operational commitments in accordance with the contract requirements. Upon expiry of the contract, the whole building, including all production facilities and equipment, shall be transferred to the Government. Construction works are expected to commence in the second half of 2026 for commissioning at the end of 2028.
Contract for development of Advanced Construction Industry Building in Tsing Yi awarded Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Contract for development of Advanced Construction Industry Building in Tsing Yi awarded Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
