Acting Commissioner of Customs and Excise meets with Deputy Prime Minister of Laos
The Acting Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Mark Woo, today (September 10) met with Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Mr Saleumxay Kommasith, and a delegation at the Customs Headquarters Building. The meeting aimed to forge closer ties and strengthen business connections between the two sides. The Consul General of Laos, Mr Ammala Saenchonghack, also attended the meeting.
Mr Woo welcomed Mr Kommasith and his delegation to visit Hong Kong Customs. The two sides held a high-level meeting and exchanged views on advancing the Trade Single Window, promoting trade facilitation, and exploring areas of mutual interest. The meeting was also attended by representatives from the Single Window Project Management Office of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to maintain close collaboration with international partners in order to promote trade facilitation and uphold the position of Hong Kong as an international trade centre and logistics hub.
Acting Commissioner of Customs and Excise meets with Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Acting Commissioner of Customs and Excise meets with Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Acting Commissioner of Customs and Excise meets with Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CHP investigates confirmed Mpox case
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (September 10) 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 31-year-old male who developed a fever, sore throat and mild diarrhea on September 4. He sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of Tin Shui Wai Hospital on the same day and was immediately transferred to Pok Oi Hospital for treatment. During hospitalisation, he developed oral lesion and rashes on various parts of his body, including face, limbs, neck and genital region, and was arranged to receive isolation treatment. Upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, his clinical specimen tested positive for the monkeypox virus. The patient is currently in stable condition.
According to information provided by the patient, he had high-risk exposures with multiple male strangers in Hong Kong during the incubation period. No epidemiological linkages between this case and confirmed Mpox cases earlier recorded in Hong Kong have been identified so far. The CHP is continuing an epidemiological investigation of the case, and will endeavour to contact individuals who had high-risk contact with the patient and report the case to the World Health Organization.
Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 103 Mpox cases (81 local cases and 22 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 high-risk 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 workers responsible for caring for patients with confirmed Mpox;
- laboratory personnel handling zoonotic pox viruses; and
- animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of 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 (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) 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 webpages onMpoxandMpox Vaccination Programme.
Source: AI-found images
