Update on dengue fever

2024-07-05 18:00 Last Updated At：23:24

Chp urges public vigilance as dengue fever cases rise in hong kong and globally, emphasizes importance of mosquito control and personal protective measures

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 5) 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 June 28 to yesterday (July 4), the CHP recorded three DF cases, including two imported cases; both patients had been to Indonesia during the incubation period. The other one was thelocal DF caseannounced on June 28.

As of yesterday, 34 cases of DF, including 31 imported and three local cases, had been recorded in 2024. In 2023, 62 imported cases of DF were recorded.

According to the World Health Organization, 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, had resulted in close to an 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 10 million cases, a record number. 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 a doctor," a spokesman for the CHP said.

The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:

DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:

* 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.

LegCo to consider Dentists Registration (Amendment) Bill 2024

2024-07-08 19:20 Last Updated At：19:28

Legco meeting on july 10 to resume second reading debates on various bills, address member motions, and present reports on icac activities.

The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (July 10) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading Debates on the Dentists Registration (Amendment) Bill 2024, the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 and the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Bill will resume. If the Bills are supported by Members and receive their Second Reading, they will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bills and their reports are adopted by the Council, the Bills will be set down for the Third Reading.

Meanwhile, the Fire Safety (Buildings) (Amendment) Bill 2024 and the Shipping Legislation (Use of Fuels and Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2024 will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bills will be adjourned.

On Members' motions, Mr Dennis Leung will move a motion on developing local vocational and professional education and training. The motion is set out in Appendix 1. Mr Lee Chun-keung, Mr Rock Chen and Mr Tang Fei will move separate amendments to Mr Leung's motion.

Mr Tony Tse will move a motion on actively developing land and optimizing land use to promote the development of the economy and industries. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Mr Louis Loong, Mr Stanley Ng, Ms Chan Yuet-ming, Mr Lau Kwok-fan, Ms Carmen Kan, Mr Andrew Lam and Dr Hoey Simon Lee will move separate amendments to Mr Tse's motion.

During the meeting, Mr Martin Liao and Mr Steven Ho will present the "Independent Commission Against Corruption, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China Annual Report 2023 and Reports of ICAC Advisory Committees" and the "ICAC Complaints Committee Annual Report 2023" respectively, and address the Council.

Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.

The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.