CHP updates on latest situation of invasive Group B Streptococcus infection
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 4) continued its investigation into the latest situation of invasive Group B Streptococcus infection. While the surveillance data of hospitals in the past two weeks show that the overall daily number of hospitalised patients confirmed to have invasive Group B Streptococcus infection has remained stable, the CHP continued to appeal to members of the public for heightened vigilance and in particular, to pay attention when touching or handling raw freshwater fish. One should wear gloves, as well as not consume undercooked freshwater fish.
The CHP has been closely monitoring the invasive Group B Streptococcus infection cases over the past month and conducted genetic sequencing analysis for patients' specimens to confirm infection number of serotype III sequence type 283 (ST283). The recent surveillance data of hospitals show that the number of hospitalised patients confirmed to have invasive Group B Streptococcus infection has been gradually brought down and has remained stable. For the analysis of the samples of hospitalised patients, since the announcement on September 27, the CHP today confirmed 12 additional ST283 cases involving patients previously admitted to the hospitals. The patients involved five males and seven females, aged between 49 and 97. The patients mainly presented with sepsis and joint abscess. Together with the 79 cases of ST283 infection announced earlier, this cluster involved a cumulative total of 91 patients residing in 18 districts throughout the territory. The onset date of the disease for all 91 patients was before mid-September; 70 of them have underlying illnesses, 40 have been discharged, 43 hospitalised patients are in stable condition, four are in serious condition and the other four with underlying illnesses have passed away.
The CHP's epidemiological investigations revealed that 75 patients have had contact with or handled raw freshwater fish before the onset of symptoms (seven of them reported that they had wounds on their hands when handling raw freshwater fish). Twelve patients cannot rule out that they have consumed undercooked freshwater fish (not freshwater fish sashimi), and the exposure history of the remaining four patients is under investigation.
While none of the 91 patients were fishmongers or engaged in fish culture-related jobs, two of them are cooks who have handled raw freshwater fish. The patients resided in various districts throughout the territory, and the freshwater fishes concerned were bought from 47 markets in 18 districts respectively. The CHP has completed the testing and analysis on all freshwater fish and environmental samples. Apart from five freshwater fish and environmental samples collected from a retail fish stall in Shek Wu Hui Market which tested positive for ST283 announced earlier, 68 freshwater fish and environmental samples collected respectively from the Freshwater Fish Market under the Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market, Yeung Uk Road Market, Pei Ho Street Market and three local fish ponds in Yuen Long all tested negative for ST283.
"Members of the public should wear gloves when touching or handling raw freshwater fish. If symptoms such as an inflamed wound and fever develop, they should seek medical attention promptly. Meanwhile, the public should refrain from consuming undercooked freshwater fish," a spokesman for the CHP reminded.
To prevent Group B Streptococcus (ST283) infection, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene, and should keep their hands clean and practice good wound care at all times, especially:
The public may visit the CHP'sInvasive Group B Streptococcus Infection associated with Sequence Type 283 (ST283)page for more information.
Buildings Department responds to media enquiries on development project at Anderson Road
In response to media enquiries about the steel reinforcement installation works in the superstructure of a development project at Anderson Road, a spokesman for the Buildings Department (BD) today (October 4) gave the following response:
The BD received a report in late August alleging that the steel reinforcements of some structural elements in the superstructure works being carried out at the Anderson Road site had not been installed in accordance with the requirements of the Buildings Ordinance (Chapter 123) (BO). The BD attaches great importance to the incident and has deployed its staff to the site four times since early September to inspect site operations, quality of work, site safety and the like. During the inspection on September 26, the BD staff found that the number of steel reinforcements installed at six beams on 29/F of Tower 3 of the site was less than that required in the approved plans. Nevertheless, there was no obvious danger to the overall structure.
As neither the representative of the registered structural engineer (RSE) nor the representative of the registered contractor (RC) could provide a reasonable explanation immediately on that day, the BD staff met with the RSE on the following day (September 27) and requested him to submit a detailed investigation and remedial works report, including the need for additional sampling tests to determine whether similar situations existed on other floors of Tower 3 and in other towers.
To facilitate the investigation requested by the BD, works of the Anderson Road development project have been suspended since September 28. In addition to the investigation and remedial works report, the BD also requested for a proposal to strengthen site supervision, and the site works cannot be resumed until the BD is satisfied with the report and proposal.
The BD is continuing its investigation into the incident and will consider appropriate enforcement action upon receipt of the RSE's report on the incident.
The BD is also reviewing the superstructure works in seven other private developments being carried out by the same contractor, and will step up site inspections to check their site safety and quality of works.
Of the eight private development projects mentioned above, four were taken over from Aggressive Construction Engineering Limited (ACEL), which was removed from the register of general building contractors in November last year. The RC involved in the incident was another independent RC. Under the BD's registration system, an RC must have a suitable authorized signatory (AS) to supervise the works. The AS of the RC involved in this incident was not the AS of ACEL, whose name was removed during the processing of its application for registration renewal last year. The delisted AS could not act on behalf of an RC for the purposes of the BO unless he attended the interview again and passed the assessment of the Contractors Registration Committee.
The spokesman reiterated that the BD attaches great importance to the safety and quality of building works. Whichever contractor is involved, the construction works are subject to stringent control under the existing system. The BO stipulates that registered building professionals and RC must properly supervise the works, including ensuring the carrying out of building works in accordance with the approved plans. If registered building professionals, RC and their technically competent persons identify any non-conformities, they must follow the requirements set out in the Code of Practice for Site Supervision 2009 (2024 Edition) and initiate the relevant procedures and rectify. The BD will conduct audit inspections at the critical stages of the building works, witness on-site tests, and review relevant certification documents for quality control.
The Anderson Road development project comprises six multi-storey residential towers, three of which (Towers 1, 2 and 3) are 32 storeys in height, while the remaining three (Towers 5, 6 and 7) are 24 storeys in height. Superstructure works for all six towers were underway, with the concreting works completed at various levels ranging from 22 to 29 storeys. Nine single-storey houses will also be built in the development.
