LegCo Meets District Councils to Discuss Local Governance and Community Concerns

LegCo Members meet with members of Sai Kung and Kowloon City District Councils

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

The Legislative Council (LegCo) Members met with the new term Sai Kung District Council (DC) and Kowloon City DC members at the LegCo Complex today (October 25). This was the third meeting held between LegCo and the DCs after the improvement of the district governance system. They discussed and exchanged views on issues closely related to people's concern.

During the meeting with the Sai Kung DC, LegCo Members discussed and exchanged views with DC members on various issues, including matters relating to the Hiram's Highway Improvement Works Stage 2, such as measures to shorten the construction period and alleviate the impacts on residents; the implementation of drainage improvement works in Sai Kung to reduce the risk of flooding because of extreme weather; as well as the enforcement actions against illegal feeding of feral pigeons to improve environmental hygiene at their congregation black spots.

The meeting was convened by Mr Steven Ho. A total of 26 Members attended the meeting including Mr Chan Hak-kan, Mr Paul Tse, Mr Frankie Yick, Ms Elizabeth Quat, Mr Holden Chow, Ms Yung Hoi-yan, Mr Chan Chun-ying, Mr Kenneth Lau, Ms Doreen Kong, Mr Stanley Li, Dr Hoey Simon Lee, Dr Chow Man-kong, Dr David Lam, Mr Lam Chun-sing, Ms Lam So-wai, Mr Andrew Lam, Mr Duncan Chiu, Mr Yiu Pak-leung, Mr Dennis Leung, Mr Kenneth Leung, Ms Chan Yuet-ming, Mr Benson Luk, Mr Edmund Wong, Mr Lai Tung-kwok and Mr Kenneth Fok.

As for the meeting with the Kowloon City DC, LegCo Members discussed and exchanged views with DC members on various issues, including the overall development plan of Kai Tak covering the preparatory work and traffic arrangements for the Kai Tak Sports Park, which is set to officially open in the first quarter of 2025, the implementation work of the smart and green mass transit system in Kai Tak project, as well as the utilisation situation of the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. They also discussed concerns regarding the proposed reprovision of the To Kwa Wan Sports Centre to a fencing hall; and the proposal to connect the promenades in Whampoa, Hung Hom, To Kwa Wan and Kai Tak to drive economic growth in the vicinity and attract tourists.

The meeting was convened by Mr Tommy Cheung. A total of 22 Members attended the meeting including Professor Priscilla Leung, Mr Ma Fung-kwok, Mr Jimmy Ng, Ms Yung Hoi-yan, Mr Chan Chun-ying, Mr Vincent Cheng, Mr Tony Tse, Mr Stanley Ng, Dr Johnny Ng, Dr Chow Man-kong, Mr Yiu Pak-leung, Mr Kenneth Leung, Ms Chan Yuet-ming, Mr Chan Siu-hung, Mr Benson Luk, Mr Kingsley Wong, Mr Yang Wing-kit, Mr Tang Fei, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, Dr Ngan Man-yu and Professor Chan Wing-kwong.

LegCo Members meet with members of Sai Kung and Kowloon City District Councils Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LegCo Members meet with members of Sai Kung and Kowloon City District Councils Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LegCo Members meet with members of Sai Kung and Kowloon City District Councils Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LegCo Members meet with members of Sai Kung and Kowloon City District Councils Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LegCo Members meet with members of Sai Kung and Kowloon City District Councils Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LegCo Members meet with members of Sai Kung and Kowloon City District Councils Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Update on dengue fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 25) reported the latest number of dengue fever (DF) cases, and strongly urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

From October 18 to yesterday (October 24), the CHP recorded 13 imported DF cases. The patients had been to Guangdong Province (Foshan (eight cases), Zhongshan (two cases), Jiangmen (one case), and another case involving multiple cities in Guangdong Province) and Pakistan (one case) during their incubation periods.

As of yesterday, 112 cases of DF, including 108 imported and four 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 transmissions, combined with an unexpected spike in DF cases, had resulted in close to a historic high of over 6.5 million cases, and more than 7 300 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 and Singapore) compared to the same period last year.

According to the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, the number of DF cases recorded in Guangdong Province in the past three months continued to increase, with 233, 1 220 and 3 711 cases in July, August and September 2024 respectively. Most of the cases were locally acquired infection. Information from the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention further showed that in the past week from October 14 to 20, more than 2 000 local DF cases were recorded, with the highest numbers of cases recorded in Foshan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Jiangmen and Zhanjiang.

Since the beginning of 2024, the Americas, including Brazil, Argentina and Mexico, have recorded about 12 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).

The continued occurrence of DF cases outside Hong Kong, coupled with the frequent travel by residents to and from Guangdong, Hong Kong and other areas, has resulted in an increased risk of importing DF cases into Hong Kong, posing a risk of local transmission.

"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:

Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;

Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;

Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;

Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;

Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;

Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and

Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers, and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

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

Read the label instructions carefully first;

Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;

Apply on exposed skin and clothing;

Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;

Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and

Reapply only when needed and follow the instructions.

* 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.