CHP conducts comprehensive investigation into suspected Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infection cluster at PMH
The Head of the Communicable Disease Branch of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, Dr Albert Au, said today (February 11) that the CHP is conducting a comprehensive investigation into a suspected Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection cluster, involving three doctors in the Oncology Department of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), with one of them passed away on February 7.
After receiving notification from PMH yesterday (February 10), the CHP representatives, together with representatives from PMH and the Chair of Infectious Diseases of the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), Professor Yuen Kwok-yung, conducted an inspection of the workplace of the Oncology Department and other facilities of the hospital this morning.
"The case involves three oncologists at the hospital. Initial investigation revealed that they developed symptoms on February 4, 6 and 10 respectively. Symptoms included fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea. One of them, who had onset of symptoms on February 4, was admitted to PMH for treatment on February 6 and passed away the following day. The other two affected persons had mild symptoms," Dr Au said.
"Preliminary test results showed that the stool specimen from one of the three affected persons tested positive for STEC, while that of the other two affected persons (including the deceased patient) tested negative. Taking into account the clinical and epidemiological information, the CHP tentatively believed that the cluster may be associated with STEC infection," he said.
The CHP's epidemiological and environmental investigations are ongoing. The CHP will continue to collaborate with the Hospital Authority and the Department of Microbiology of the HKU to investigate the incident and trace the potential source of infection.
PMH has strengthened the monitoring of the gastrointestinal symptoms among its staff and has requested any staff members with relevant symptoms to report immediately for laboratory tests. The PMH has also arranged comprehensive disinfection of the oncology office area.
In general, STEC infections are usually associated with the consumption of contaminated food or water, such as raw or undercooked meat products, contaminated fruits and vegetables, and unpasteurised dairy products. Direct person-to-person transmission through the faecal-oral route can also occur.
Conference on Climate Change and International Trade Law held in Hong Kong today
The Conference on Climate Change and International Trade Law was held in hybrid format in Hong Kong today (March 14). The Conference was jointly organised by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy of the Department of Justice (DoJ), discussing how the international trade law can effectively support the achievement of climate action goals set by the international community. The Conference attracted about 600 registrations from around 70 jurisdictions in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Latin America, Europe and Africa.
The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC; the Secretary of UNCITRAL, Ms Anna Joubin-Bret; and the Deputy Director General, Department of Treaty and Law of the Ministry of Commerce, Mr Tian Ya, gave opening remarks at the Conference. The Director-General of the Department of Treaty and Law of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, member of the International Law Commission, Mr Ma Xinmin, also gave a keynote address, with prominent speakers from around the world joining the panel discussions. Participants from diverse backgrounds and sectors, including academics, judges, officials, legal and dispute resolution professionals, as well as other professionals and representatives from international organisations, shared their insights on a variety of topics on climate change and international trade law.
In his welcome remarks, Mr Lam thanked UNCITRAL for its strong support and fruitful collaboration with the DoJ over the years, adding that the Conference also marked the first event co-organised by the Hong Kong Legal Talents Training Academy and UNCITRAL. He said that the various local climate change initiatives have demonstrated Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre as well as a green and sustainable finance hub. He further mentioned that the wide spectrum of issues discussed in the Conference illustrated how international trade law can effectively support the achievement of climate action goals set by the international community.
In his closing remarks, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, said the Conference highlighted the importance of concerted efforts to address the challenges of climate change to international trade. In addition to harnessing the use of international law instruments and sharing of experience and collaboration at the international level, capacity building that enables people to be better acquainted with the issues and equipped with instruments to address them is also of critical importance. In this regard, this Conference was an exemplary capacity-building initiative.
The Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy will continue to work with UNCITRAL on capacity building in different areas and is planning to co-organise the 6th UNCITRAL Asia Pacific Judicial Summit in Hong Kong later this year.
Conference on Climate Change and International Trade Law held in Hong Kong today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Conference on Climate Change and International Trade Law held in Hong Kong today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Conference on Climate Change and International Trade Law held in Hong Kong today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
