Hong Kong Film “Last Song For You” Showcased at Osaka Asian Film Festival
The Hong Kong film “Last Song For You” was presented during the “Hong Kong Gala Screening” at the 20th Osaka Asian Film Festival (OAFF) in Japan on March 20. This special event attracted approximately 300 film enthusiasts and was organized with the assistance of multiple entities, including the Cultural, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, and the Film Development Fund, along with support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo. Prior to the screening, Miss Winsome Au, the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative in Tokyo, expressed her pride in supporting the gala alongside the film’s creators who traveled from Hong Kong to participate in this year’s festival. “Our primary goal is to highlight the cultural diversity and creative talent of Hong Kong. By bringing our films to international audiences, we aim to share our passion for cinema and showcase our vibrant city, which is a melting pot of Eastern and Western arts and culture,” she stated. Miss Au also noted that the Film Development Fund has awarded over $1.3 billion to finance more than 120 film projects, involving a new generation of 110 directors and producers. She was joined by Jill Leung, the director of “Last Song For You,” along with other filmmakers from Hong Kong at the festival. Following the film’s screening, Leung participated in a discussion session with the audience.
CHP Addresses Media Queries on Gastroenteritis Outbreak Among Students
In response to inquiries from the media regarding a cluster of gastroenteritis symptoms reported among students from a secondary school in Tsing Yi after they returned from an exchange tour to the Mainland, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health provided an update on March 23. The CHP revealed that they were notified on March 22 by the Education Bureau about a suspected case of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) related to the tour, prompting an immediate epidemiological investigation. It was reported that a group of 135 teachers and students participated in a three-day exchange tour to Zhaoqing starting March 20. Subsequently, 20 students and one teacher showed symptoms consistent with norovirus infection, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, occurring between 11 AM on March 21 and 8 AM the following day. Out of these, 18 individuals sought medical care in Zhaoqing. All patients are reported to be in stable condition and have been released from medical care, with eight testing positive for norovirus. The CHP is pursuing various avenues to determine the source of this outbreak, including potential person-to-person transmission or food contamination. Initial findings indicate that the affected individuals had consumed only the same group meals, and there were no recent AGE outbreaks reported at their school. Based on the timing of symptom onset, the CHP has not yet ruled out the possibility of contamination via food consumption. They have informed the Guangdong health authorities about the situation, and investigations are underway in the Mainland. The CHP has offered health guidance to the affected school regarding AGE transmission, prevention, and control measures. They will continue monitoring the situation and will collect stool specimens from the cases for laboratory analysis. Additionally, the Education Bureau has been alerted about the situation. Recent gastroenteritis outbreaks have also been reported in popular travel destinations for residents of Hong Kong. In Japan, there has been a rise in patients seeking treatment for gastroenteritis, alongside several significant norovirus-related food poisoning incidents. Singapore has noted an increase in medical consultations for acute diarrhea compared to last year, and Taiwan has reported its highest number of diarrhea outbreaks in five years, primarily attributed to norovirus. Public vigilance regarding hygiene practices is essential to minimize the risk of infection while traveling. Locally, gastroenteritis activity has escalated since late December, remaining at elevated levels in recent months. In January and February, there were 57 and 49 outbreaks reported, respectively, with 21 outbreaks recorded through March 15, predominantly caused by norovirus. Viral gastroenteritis is typically more prevalent in cooler months and can be triggered by various viruses, primarily norovirus and rotavirus. Common symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting, with additional signs such as headaches, fever, and abdominal cramps. Symptoms generally arise one to two days following infection, and their duration can range from one to ten days, depending on the virus involved. The CHP emphasizes that alcohol-based hand sanitizers should not replace thorough handwashing with soap and water, as they may not be effective against certain viruses like norovirus. To prevent foodborne illnesses, the public is advised to maintain high standards of personal, food, and environmental hygiene. When dining out, it is crucial to practice proper hygiene, wash hands before meals and after using restrooms, use gloves when handling vomit or fecal matter, clean contaminated surfaces with diluted bleach, ensure good ventilation, and adhere to food safety measures such as avoiding undercooked food and unlicensed food vendors. For further information and guidance on viral gastroenteritis prevention, the public is encouraged to visit the CHP’s official website.
