AFCD to launch dog inoculation campaign against rabies at fishing ports
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced today (January 2) that a dog inoculation campaign will be held at various fishing ports in Hong Kong. Fishermen can have their dogs vaccinated against rabies and microchipped, and renew their dog licences.
The AFCD mobile vaccination teams will provide the services at the following fishing ports according to the schedule below from 10am to 3pm:
Aberdeen
January 9
Sai Kung
January 15
Shau Kei Wan
January 16
Sam Mun Tsai
January 20
Sha Tau Kok
January 22
Cheung Chau
January 23
Castle Peak
January 24
The half-yearly dog inoculation campaign has been held since 1980 with the aim of providing licensing renewal and rabies vaccination services for dogs that are kept by fishermen on board fishing vessels and spend long periods of time there. A fee of $80 will be charged for each dog. To date, over 7 400 vaccinations have been given to dogs on fishing vessels by the AFCD.
An AFCD spokesman said that the services are part of the Government's proactive measures to prevent rabies, a fatal disease that is transmitted to humans from animals. Dogs on board vessels that have visited places outside Hong Kong may have come into contact with other animals, making them more susceptible to rabies infection.
"Although Hong Kong has been free from animal rabies since 1987, we must remain vigilant to prevent any possible outbreak," the spokesman said.
Under the Rabies Ordinance (Cap. 421), all dogs aged over 5 months must be vaccinated against rabies, licensed and microchipped. Dogs have to be revaccinated against rabies and their licences have to be renewed at intervals not exceeding three years. Dog owners who fail to do so are liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 upon conviction.
Grading of beach water quality released
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (April 3) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 2).
Thirty-seven beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and three as Fair (Grade 2).
Grade 1 beaches are:
Big Wave Bay Beach*
Lido Beach*
Butterfly Beach*
Lo So Shing Beach
Cafeteria New Beach
Lower Cheung Sha Beach
Cafeteria Old Beach
Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach*
Casam Beach*
Middle Bay Beach
Castle Peak Beach
Pui O Beach*
Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach*
Repulse Bay Beach*
Chung Hom Kok Beach
Shek O Beach*
Clear Water Bay First Beach
Silver Mine Bay Beach*
Clear Water Bay Second Beach*
Silverstrand Beach*
Deep Water Bay Beach*
South Bay Beach*
Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach [Non-gazetted beach]
St Stephen's Beach
Golden Beach*
Stanley Main Beach*
Hap Mun Bay Beach*
Tai Po Lung Mei Beach*
Hoi Mei Wan Beach
Tong Fuk Beach
Hung Shing Yeh Beach*
Trio Beach
Kadoorie Beach*
Turtle Cove Beach
Kiu Tsui Beach
Upper Cheung Sha Beach
Kwun Yam Beach
Grade 2 beaches are:
Anglers' Beach*
Ting Kau Beach*
Approach Beach
Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, an EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a tropical cyclone or heavy rainfall.
A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. Members of the public can also obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches that are open for swimming through the EPD's dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast).
Note 1: Lifesaving services are provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at 22 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk (*) above, from April 1. For details, please refer to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's Special Announcement (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/index.html).
Note 2: This refers to Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach which has no lifesaving service.
