2 Pinoys jailed 20 months for taking SIM card, iPad in burglary

 

The thefts took place in one of these shops (Google Maps photo)

Two Filipino HK residents who were charged with burglary before the District Court for stealing a SIM card and an iPad from a shop at night, were each sentenced to 20 months after pleading guilty today.

Ryan Malonzo, 38 years old and a bartender, admitted entering Shop IE on the ground floor at No. 11 On Ning Lane, Sai Ying Pun, while Roderick Prado, 49 years old and a delivery worker, acted as a lookout in the burglary, committed at night between the 20^th and 21^st of March, 2025.

The offense, contrary to section 11(1)(b) and (4) of the Theft Ordinance, was traced to the two because of the two screwdrivers they left outside and fingerprints inside the shop.

Basahin ang detalye!

Deputy District Judge Timothy Harry Casewell handed the sentence down after deducting the usual one third discount from the starting point of 30 months’ imprisonment.

He noted that both had previous criminal convictions.

In mitigation, Malonzo’s lawyer said he committed the burglary on the spur of the moment and out of greed. “He feels remorse,” she said.

Due to hardship, his wife had gone home for good to the Philippines, she added.

Prado’s lawyer said the burglary was impromptu and could be due to his drug addiction, from which he has recovered after spending six months in detention.

MWO distributes Php2.7M in financial aid to distressed OFWs

 

Top Consulate officials handed out the cash awards to 42 needy OFWs

The Migrant Workers Office Hong Kong has distributed a total of Php2.7 million in financial aid to 42 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) through the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (Aksyon) Fund.

The mass handing out of the cash awards to mostly sick OFWs was held on Sunday, Apr 26,  at the OFW Global Center with Consul General Romulo Israel, Jr. and Labor Attache Cesar Chavez, Jr. leading the distribution.

A total of 24 beneficiaries, mostly suffering from critical illness like cancer, each received the HK dollar equivalent of Php75,000 while 18 others who were facing less severe ailments or labor-related hardship received the HK dollar equivalent of Php50,000.

Basahin ang detalye!

Labatt Chavez said the financial aid reflects the commitment of MWO Hong Kong to respond to the welfare needs of OFWs in Hong Kong.

He said his office is committed to update its processes so Aksyon Fund applicants who are able to submit complete documents can receive their cash aid within the same day.

He also announced the implementation of a queuing system at MWO, and the introduction of the online contract verification system starting on April 30.

Labatt Chavez pledges same-day release of Aksyon Fund if documents are in order

ConGen Israel for his part affirmed the Consulate’s commitment together with MWO and other attached agencies to provide efficient delivery of services to all Filipinos in Hong Kong.

Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Consul General Von Ryan Ferrera, Vice Consul David Paje, Assistant Labor Attache Karen Arlan, Social Welfare Attache Rem Marcelino and OWWA Welfare Officer Marilou Sumalinog.

The Department of Migrant Workers through the Aksyon Fund, provides various forms of assistance to OFWs including legal, repatriation, shipment of remains, and other analogous intervention to protect the rights and promote the welfare of Filipino migrant workers.

OFWs who wish to seek assistance through the Fund may go to MWO Hong Kong on the 29^th floor of United Centre in Admiralty for guidance on the application process.

 

 

Pinay’s jail sentence for money laundering reduced

 

A domestic helper was recalled to Eastern Court today to be informed that her one-year jail sentence for money laundering had been reduced to eight months.

Principal Magistrate David Cheung reduced the sentence handed down on April 13 to Chery Morbo, 31 years old, after she was convicted of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence, contrary to sections 25.(1) and 25 (3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

She had reported to police that her HSBC account, opened in August 2024, was used for laundering $132,100 after five deposits and nine withdrawals were reported to her by her bank over a five-day period. She said she lost her ATM card earlier.

Basahin ang detalye!

She was arrested four months later and had been in remand for four months.

 “This is a case of being taken advantage of,” her lawyer said. He said she did not operate the account and there was no evidence she knew the predicate offense (from which the money was derived by persons unknown).

In the original sentence, Magistrate Cheung set a starting point of 18 months’ jail and deducted one-third as a discount for her guilty plea. Today, he gave her another discount of four months.

Online contract verification to start Apr 30

 

Labatt Chavez explains the new online verification system as ALA Karen Arlan
and a representative of the systems provider Dataflow look on

Starting on April 30, all overseas Filipino workers who have signed up with the same employer (Balik Manggagawa) need no longer visit the Migrant Workers Office to have their employment contracts verified as they can get this done online.

This was announced by Labor Attache Cesar Chavez, Jr. during a consultation meeting with Filipino community leaders held at the OFW Global Centre on April 19.

Labatt Chavez said the Online Employment Contract Verification System (OECVS) will be rolled out a day before Labor Day, to underline the Department of Migrant Workers’ pledge to make life easier for OFWs.

He said this should ease the problem of overcrowding at the DMW, especially during peak seasons like Christmas and school graduation, when thousands of OFWs line up to secure the overseas employment certificate (OEC) which they need to be able to exit the Philippines and return to their work in Hong Kong.

Basahin ang detalye!

But he hastened to add that online verification, which incurs a HK$40 “convenience fee” on top of the HK$80 verification fee, is just an option, meaning those who prefer to personally submit their work contract at the MWO can still do so.

After all the required documents for verification are submitted and the applicable fees are paid, it will take three working days before the process is completed.

“Once (the verification application) is approved, the OEC is automatically generated after 24 hours through the DMW portal,” said Labatt Chavez.

Also in the pipeline according to him, is a new appointment and queuing system for those who wish to avail of services from the MWO. OFWs who walk into the office will be issued a ticket, which means they will no longer have to queue in front of the counters while waiting to be attended to.

Labatt said the OFWs may even take a coffee break right inside the MWO office on the 29^th floor of United Centre building, as it will have the same free coffee station as the one at the OFW Global Centre on the 18^th floor.

OFWs packed the room where the briefing was held

Addressing the long-standing clamor for the OEC to be scrapped, Labatt said he shares this sentiment, but right now, there is still no better way to guard OFWs against human trafficking and work exploitation once they leave the country.

He urged OFWs to familiarize themselves with obtaining the OEC online, and not rely on others to do it for them as they will be sharing personal data that could be used by unscrupulous people to get them into trouble.

“Ginagawan na natin ng paraan na i-simplify ang proseso, dahan-dahan nating i-improve,” he said. (We are already trying to simplify the process, we will slowly find ways to improve it).

He added that the MWO is always willing to help and hear them out if they have suggestions on how the issuance of the OEC could be improved.

Asked why immigration officers in the Philippines are not recognizing the OFW Pass in place of the OEC, Labatt said that to be safe, OFWs returning to their workplace should secure both documents.

“Ang OEC pa rin ang hinahanap, pero pwede naman pareho,” he said. (It is still the OEC that they want to see, but there’s no harm in having both documents).

Assistant Labor Attache Karen Arlan said the DMW is in the process of talking with airlines in the Philippines as reports indicate the airline staff at the check-in counters are the ones who refuse to recognize the OFW Pass in place of the OEC.

For a complete list of the documents needed for contract verification, please click this link to get to the OECVS portal: mwohk-ph.com/verification-of-employment-contracts/

Or check the Facebook page of MWO Hong Kong

To start your verification application, log on directly to dmw.dataflowgroup.com

If you encounter any problem using the system, you may contact the MWO directly through their website or by phone, 2886 0640 

 

 

Pinoys in HK offer prayers for 19 killed by military in Negros

 

Attendees take turns laying flowers on makeshift altar for the service

Filipinos in Hong Kong offered prayers at Chater Road in Central today for the 19 people who were killed in a military operation last April 20 in Taboso, Negros Occidental.

Fr. Dwight de la Torre of the Philippine Independent Church, who led the service, said: "Before the other massacres could fully be resolved and justice meted out, another massacre has occurred."

He added: “Let us now remember the recent victims of state violence in our country. To forget is to prolong the regression of our people. But to remember is to hasten the process of redemption because every remembrance should be a challenge to action.” 

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

The crowd of about 100 lighted candles and offered white flowers at the table that served as altar for the service.

Other speakers, who denounced the massacre and continuing human rights violations in the Philippines, included Paster Joram Calimutan of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines, and Baneng Mendez of BAYAN Hong Kong and Macau.

The 19 fatalities were killed in a counter-insurgency strafing operation by the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army. A total of 663 Taboso residents were displaced.

Basahin ang detalye!

Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco said residents were shocked when the sporadic battles began at 4 am, spread over four barangays and ended at nearly 3 pm on April 20.

The Army claimed that a wanted rebel leader -- Roger Fabillar, who had a P1-million bounty and was also known as “Kumander Arnel Tapang.” -- and at least 18 alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed by troops of the 79th Infantry Battalion in a series of encounters.

UP students protest the killing of campus activist Alyssa Alano and 18 others in Taboso

It turned out later that among these were University of the Philippines Student Council Councilor Alyssa Alano and community journalist RJ Ledesma of Paghimutad, an alternative media outlet and member of the Altermidya network, who were in the area for community immersion and research into the situation of peasants.

Organizations Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and Tanggol Magsasaka likewise identified two other fatalities as advocates Maureen Keil Santuyo and Errol Wendel.

In Manila, several groups picketing Camp Aguinaldo called for an independent investigation into the Taboso operation. “We want to know the truth, what really happened that day. We want a truly independent investigation into what happened because we do not believe those 19 individuals were just killed like chickens,” said Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general.

Bartender with suspended sentence to be jailed after new drug offense

Corner where Filipino was arrested (Google Maps photo)

A bartender with a standing suspended sentence for drug possession, is certain to go to jail after he pleaded guilty to a similar charge at Eastern Court on Friday, involving traces of methamphetamine, otherwise known as ice or shabu.

Principal Magistrate David Cheung made this warning to Mark Datu, 47 years old, before he adjourned his sentencing to May 8 to await a report by the Drug Abuse Treatment Center.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

“Because of this charge, you face an immediate custodial sentence…. the drug was for your own consumption,” Magistrate Cheung told Datu, whom he returned to jail.

Datu had a 10-month jail sentence suspended for one year which kept him from serving a day in jail, when he was searched by a police patrol at Second Street, near the junction of Centre Street in Sai Ying Pun last Dec. 30, and was found in possession of one plastic bag containing 0.03 gram of a crystalline solid containing methamphetamine  and one glass tube shaped as a bulb at one end containing 0.06 gram of a solid containing methamphetamine.

Basahin ang detalye!

He was charged with violation of sections 8(K)(a) and (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.

Sisters await sentence for laundering $1.28M

 

Two Filipino sisters who are housewives, are awaiting sentencing after they pleaded guilty at Eastern Court Friday (April 24) to money laundering charges involving deposits of $1.28 million in crime proceeds in their respective bank accounts.

Principal Magistrate David Cheung adjourned the case to June 26 for sentencing Jojie and Marly Carpiz, while setting to June 15 the trial of their Indonesian co-accused Purwati, who pleaded not guilty.

Jojie Carpiz. 49 years old, faces a charge of conspiracy to deal with property, knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that the property represented proceeds of an indictable offense, contrary to sections 25(1) and (3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance and sections 159A and 159C of the Crimes Ordinance.

Basahin ang detalye!

Police accused her of conspiring with her sister Marly in dealing with $600,750 in her account with the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited between the 24th and 27 of December 2019

Marly, 51, faces a charge of dealing with property known or having reasonable grounds to believe that the property represented the proceeds of an indictable offence, contrary to sections 25(1) and 25(3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

She is accused of handling tainted money amounting to $600,000 in her HSBC account on Dec. 27, 2019.

Purwati, 34 years old, was also charged with conspiracy to deal with crime-tainted property, namely $200,000 in her own HSBC account.

The origins of these sums were not mentioned in the charge sheet.

Tour guide, photographer arrested in anti-illegal work operations

One of the suspected illegal workers is taken away for questioning

Immigration officers working undercover arrested a tour guide and photographer working illegally as part of anti-illegal work operations carried out from Apr 17 to 23. 

The sting came after the officers noted that social media platforms have recently been used to advertise tour guide and photography services in Hong Kong. After an extensive investigation and research, the two suspects, both aged 23, were identified. 

Officers disguised as customers set up the two, then arrested them while they were engaged in providing the illegal services. 

Basahin ang detalye!

The two were among 16 people arrested in in the territory-wide operations involving the HK Police and the Immigration, Labour and Customs departments. The suspects comprised 12 suspected illegal workers, two employers and two aiders and abettors. 

The premises that were targeted included restaurants, warehouses and flats under renovation, which are known black spots for illegal work.

The arrested workers comprised two men and eight women, aged 23 to 50. Among them, one man and one woman were holding recognisance forms which prohibit them from taking any employment. 

One man and one woman, aged 63 and 30, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. 

Two other men aged 48 and 53 were also detained on suspicion that they aided and abetted the illegal act.

Immigration said an investigation into the suspected employers is continuing, and further arrests could not be ruled out.

It also warned that anyone who contravenes a condition of stay in Hong Kong, like tourists taking up a job whether paid or unpaid, could be prosecuted and if found guilty, sentenced to a maximum jail term of two years, and up to $50,000 in fines. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalty.

Overstayers, asylum seekers and those refused permission to land can be jailed for up to three years if they are found to be working illegally.

In addition, they can be barred from re-entering Hong Kong on orders of the Chief Executive if the offence which they are charged with carries a sentence of not less than two years in jail.

Employers face a more severe penalty of up to 10 years in jail and a maximum fine of HK$500,000.

 

Filipina cleared of laundering HK$1.1M in rare case

 

A Filipina who was charged with money laundering after an account was opened in her name with an online bank and used to deposit $1.1 million in crime money, was acquitted today at Eastern Court in a decision that differed from the way courts look at this kind of cases.

Daisy Eugenio, 53 years old, tearfully thanked Deputy Magistrate Ho Tsz-chun after he read his decision clearing her of the charge of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offense, contrary to sections 25(1) and 25(3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

“I’m so happy and relieved,” she told The SUN later.

Basahin ang detalye!

Eugenio was charged with handling HK$1,125,995.38  of money raised from a fake investment scam, through her account with MOX Bank Limited in 126 transactions over 11 days from Jan. 7 to Jan. 17, 2024.

In previous court decisions, Filipinos who had HK$1 million or more laundered through their bank accounts were jailed for at least one year.

In his decision, Magistrate Ho gave credence to her testimony that she had no control of the bank account, the main argument of the prosecution. The prosecution has failed to prove she operated the account, he concluded.

Eugenio after emerging from the court

In the account’s customer profile, for example, her preferred language was listed as traditional Chinese, which she did not speak or read. “Anyone who opens an account will not use a language he does not use,” he said.

Her occupation was listed as “courier” when she was a domestic helper, and her income was supposed to be $300,000 yearly when she was earning $6,000 a month ($72,000 a year).

Crucially, her listed address, to which the ATM card and the password were mailed separately after the application was approved by MOX Bank, was not where she and her employer stayed.

Magistrate Ho thus gave credence to her claim that she did not know she had a MOX Bank account until police arrested her at the Immigration Department when she was extending her visa.

Eugenio had testified that the account was opened when a Chinese man and a Filipino woman approached her and two friends in a Wanchai park and offered a promo which gave a 20 percent discount on purchases of $300 or more at Giordano and Bossini.

They just needed to register their HKID, which they could then use to get the discount in Giordano and Bossini outlets anywhere in Hong Kong. After taking a picture of their HKID, the Chinese man took their “selfies”, Eusebio testified.

Magistrate Ho believed her claim that she was not aware that this opened an account in MOX Bank. He said this was understandable since she is just a high school graduate and had only limited knowledge of technology. She had only one bank account, which she used for remitting money to her family.

Read earlier news story: https://www.sunwebhk.com/2026/04/pinay-denies-role-in-11m-money.html

Pinay fined for keeping iPhone she found

 

A domestic helper has learned an expensive lesson - that a mobile phone she found in front of a McDonald’s restaurant was not for her to keep.

Nena Passi, 56 years old, had to pay a fine of $950 and a compensation of $50 to owner LI Yu Qian, on Thursday (April 23) at West Kowloon Court after she pleaded guilty to theft, in violation of section 9 of the Theft Ordinance, as charged by Tsuen Wan Police.

Basahin ang detalye!

The $1,000 was deducted from the cash bail of the same amount, which she posted earlier.

Passi was charged with theft after she found one Apple iPhone 13 and one Hello Kitty case valued at $2,354, outside the McDonald’s restaurant in Tsuen Wan Plaza, Tsuen Wan, last Feb. 20, and decided to keep it.

The phone was returned to the owner after Passi was arrested.             

12 people arrested in raids targeting food couriers

Police display items seized during the raids

Eight suspected illegal workers and four aiders and abettors were arrested in the latest anti-illegal work operation by the Immigration Department.

Targeted in the raids carried out from Apr 13 to 22 were food delivery riders working illegally.

All the suspected illegal workers were non-ethnic Chinese males aged 22 to 51, and were found to hold recognizance forms, being non-refoulement claimants or are applying against deportation orders against them.

Basahin ang detalye!

The suspected aiders and abettors were three men and one woman who are all Hong Kong residents and aged 31 to 44. They are suspected of having conspired to defraud delivery platforms by selling or renting their food delivery courier accounts to the illegal workers.

Immigration warned that an illegal immigrant, or a person refused permission to land, is prohibited from taking taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or joining any business.

Offenders face being sentenced to a maximum of three years in jail and fined up to $50,000.

In addition, the Chief Executive may issue a deportation order against an immigrant-offender found guilty of committing an offence punishable with imprisonment for not less than two years, which will ban the offender from entering Hong Kong in future. 

Employers of illegal workers face a more serious sentence of up to 10 years in prison and fine of up to $500,000 to reflect the gravity of such an offence.

To report illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 185 185, fax at 2824 1166, email anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Another Filipina jailed 6 months for laundering $315K

 

Another Filipina was sent to jail for six months today for money laundering after admitting at Kwun Tong Court that her bank account was used as depository for funds that came from crime.

Grace Macalinao, 52 years old and works as a domestic helper had pleaded guilty to dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offense, contrary to sections 25(1) and 25(3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

Basahin ang detalye!

Acting Principal Magistrate May Hung set a starting point of nine months’ imprisonment but gave her a one-third discount.

She was arrested by Tseung Kwan O Police after $315,040.00 in crime money found its way into the her account with Hang Seng Bank Limited between March 2 and March 27, 2020.

Police said Macalinao, together with persons unknown, dealt with the funds which, “in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, represented any person's proceeds of an indictable offense.”

Ex-DH sought over alleged HK$290k theft

 

The block of flats where alleged theft took place

A Filipina former domestic helper is reportedly being sought after a theft of jewelry amounting to HK$290,000 allegedly went missing from a Pok Fu Lam flat where she used to work.

A 51-year-old woman living in Pokfulam Gardens as well as her husband contacted the police at around 10am on Wednesday to report that several pieces of jewelry she owned valued had gone missing.

Basahin ang detalye!

Officers who investigated the report classified the case as theft, and are continuing the investigation.

A 42-year-old Filipina who used to work as a domestic helper in the house has been identified as a suspect and is now being sought by the police.

DH awaits verdict on poison possession charge

Sample of E cigar that uses nicotine cartridge (photo for illustration only) .
Photo by Jodanw22 at English Wikipedia

A domestic helper will find out on May 5 whether she is guilty or not of possession of Part I poison after her one-day trial concluded today at Eastern Court and adjourned for verdict.

J. Caisip, 37 years old, had denied a police charge that she had in her possession a Part I poison in violation of sections 23(1), 33(1) and 34 of the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance,

Magistrate Kestrel Lam released her on bail of $200.

Basahin ang detalye!

Caisip was arrested on Nov. 28, last year at Room B, 23/F of Cathay Lodge, on Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai, for possession of one transparent cartridge containing 0.14 gram of a liquid containing nicotine.

The substance, packaged as a vape cartridge, is classified as a poison which no person is allowed to possess unless permitted under the provisions of the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance.

PCG warns Filipinos against engaging in illegal gambling

 

The Consulate advisory against illegal gambling

The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong has reminded Filipinos in Hong Kong that it is illegal to manage unauthorized gambling establishments or engage in gambling outside of a licensed gambling establishment, “whatever the amount.”

The warning came after police confirmed the arrest of six people, four women and two men aged 35 to 61 years old, for illegal gambling on Chater Road in Central on Sunday, April 19.

Cash amounting to $1,400 and a batch of gambling equipment were seized during the operation.

Basahin ang detalye!

Eyewitnesses said those arrested were Filipinos and they were led away from the scene in handcuffs, in full view of a large number of people who were in the vicinity at the time.

The area where they were allegedly caught gambling was seen being sealed off for further investigation.

Several areas in Central are known blackspots for illegal gambling by Filipino migrant workers, especially on Sundays. These include a stairway on Murray Road near Chater Garden, and the perimeter of City Hall

The arrest was among at least three carried out over the past several days by police who used drones for the first time to catch the suspects engaging in illegal street gambling.

One was in Chung On Estate in Ma On Shan, which resulted in the arrest of eight people and the seizure of $420 in cash, along with some gambling equipment.

The other one was in Tsuen Wan where 12 elderly suspects were arrested, including a 91-year-old man. Seized from them was $451 cash and some gambling paraphernalia.

Police said in a news conference that it will strengthen patrol to crack down on illegal street gambling.

All gambling activities in Hong Kong are illegal unless run by the Hong Kong Jockey Club or licensed mahjong parlors, restaurants and clubhouses.

Illegal gambling is punishable by up to seven years in prison and a maximum fine of HK$5 million.

 

Mark 6 to mark 50th year with $228M jackpot

 

One of Mark 6 beneficiaries: The Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon

Mark Six will celebrate its 50th anniversary with two mega snowball draws, with the first one featuring the  biggest-ever jackpot of $228 million taking place on May 2.

Tickets for this inaugural snowball draw will be on sale after the regular draw on April 25. Sales will close at 9:15pm on May 2. Details of the second commemorative snowball will be announced later.

This will mark the last draw on the fourth-generation drawing machine, which has been in service for 16 years. The fifth-generation model will be used in succeeding draws, including the second snowball on a still-undisclosed date.

Basahin ang detalye!

The Mark Six, launched in 1976, has supported more than 25,000 projects of social welfare organizations through $55.4 billon in lottery duty to the government, and $30.7 billion in contributions to the Lotteries Fund, the HK Jockey Club said.

As of April 18, its most frequently drawn numbers are 30, appearing 515 times, 49 (514 times), 24 (511 times), 22 (503 times) and 13(500 times). The least popular number is 19, which has been drawn 437 times, followed by 41 (439 times), 23 and 25 (447 times each), and 43 (448 times).

The snowball draw is only one of a series of activities to commemorate five decades of serving the community and part of the club’s Year of the Horse campaign.

The “Mark Six 50th Anniversary Exhibition” will be held at Duplex Studio, Tai Kwun, in Central from May 1 to May 10 under the theme “Connecting Dreams for a Better Future”. To be featured are precious Mark Six artefacts, including some of the earliest lottery tickets.

The exhibition will also feature a simulated draw studio, where visitors can take instant photos with a retired drawing machine, and sale of souvenir items.

“The Club’s Year of the Horse campaign is a year-long celebration of the close bond between horses and humans and the contribution racing makes to Hong Kong,” HKJC said.

“Through the success of Hong Kong horses on the international stage, the sport also brings pride to the community and global recognition to our city,” it added.

FDHs urged to get measles vaccine as 3rd airport case reported

 

HK regards FDHs as high risk for measles 

A third measles infection has reportedly occurred among three men working in the same company at the Hong Kong International Airport, prompting a call for airport staff and foreign domestic workers to get vaccinated against the disease.

The latest case involves a 37-year-old airport worker who developed a fever and myalgia since Apr 15, followed by a cough and a sore throat the next day.

He consulted a doctor in a Tuen Mun clinic on Apr 16 and 18 , after which he developed a rash. The next day the Center for Health Protection arranged for his admission to Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment and isolation.

Basahin ang detalye!

On Monday, tests showed he had measles. He remains in hospital where he’s reported to be in stable condition.

Further investigation showed he worked in the same company at the airport as the two other men who caught the disease earlier.

The patient lives alone and is unsure if he received measles vaccination. The CHP thinks the three cases are related.

According to the patient, in between visiting private clinics on Apr 16 and 18 he reported for work to the airport on Apr15 and 19.

The CHP has started contact tracing to find out close contacts of the patient, as well as high-risk individuals. A total of 31 individuals who were in the clinic while the patient was there, plus 68 staff at his workplace, have been identified as close contacts and will be closely monitored.

In addition a health booth set up by the CHP at the airport on Apr 18 has so far provided assessment and vaccination for more than 200 staff. It will continue to operate until Apr 22.

The press statement did not explain why FDHs were singled out in the police advisory, although it did say that cases of measles remain high in the Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia.

It added that while Hong Kong has a high level of immunization it remains vulnerable to infection from imported cases, owing to the big number of people who come in from various places.

As measles is airborne it could be highly contagious, but full vaccination is usually enough to protect one from infection. 

The CHP has sent a letter to all registered doctors and aviation industry to inform them of the measles outbreak and urged them to be vigilant and report suspicious cases. A copy of the letter has also been sent to employment agencies asking them to encourage FDHs to receive the measles vaccine.

Measles has an incubation period of 7 to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. Travelers returning from places with measles outbreak are urged to seek medical advice, and to isolate immediately. Pregnant women and babies under a year old are high risk for the disease.