Hong Kong – CHP advises public to take preventative measures throughout upcoming winter

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (November 17) advised the general public, especially the senior, individuals with persistent health problems, outside employees, pregnant females, babies and kids, to embrace suitable steps to safeguard their health as the temperature level in Hong Kong will drop considerably.

Senior and individuals with persistent health problems
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A representative for the CHP stated that in basic, senior individuals have less insulating fat, and their body temperature level control systems would be weaker. Their body might not react properly to the winter. In addition, some senior individuals might have reduced movement, which can hinder their capability to produce and save temperature.

Persistent health problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or hypothyroidism, would decrease their metabolic rate, consequently triggering their body to create less heat. Individuals with persistent health problems, such as persistent breathing diseases or cardiovascular and cerebrovascular illness, are susceptible to illness stress due to cold weather condition.

The spokesperson advised the general public, in specific the senior and individuals with persistent diseases, to embrace the following preventive steps:

• Bear in mind of the weather report. Use warm clothes, consisting of hats, headscarfs, gloves and socks, appropriately;
• Take in enough food to make sure sufficient calorie consumption;
• Carry out routine workout to assist in blood flow and heat production;
• Remain in a warm environment. Prevent heading out in the early morning and during the night when the temperature level is lower, and prevent extended outside direct exposure;
• Usage heating units with care and keep appropriate indoor ventilation;
• Prevent liquors. Consuming alcohol can not keep you warm. Alcohol speeds up the loss of temperature through dilated capillary, leading to cooling rather; and
• Look for medical suggestions if sensation unwell.

Babies, kids and pregnant ladies
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Babies and children are more vulnerable to heat loss throughout the winter. The representative advised moms and dads that they must guarantee infants are adequately warm, however it is likewise essential to keep infants reasonably gently outfitted to prevent overheating them. When kids participate in outside activities, their clothes needs to be changed appropriately, and altered rapidly if soaked. Babies, young kids and pregnant ladies must likewise attempt to prevent heading out in the early morning and in the evening when the temperature level is lower.

Moms and dads ought to observe the following precaution when putting their kids to bed:

• Keep the space well aerated and at a comfy temperature level;
• Constantly location children on their backs to sleep. Leave their heads, deals with and arms revealed throughout sleep;
• Children do not require pillows. Location infants on a company and well-fitted bed mattress to sleep. Prevent soft things, pillows and loose bed linen;
• Let children oversleep a cot positioned near their moms and dads’ bed; and
• Keep a smoke-free environment.

Outside employees
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Outside employees need to beware of the weather forecast and use proper warm clothes for work. Clothes needs to be altered as quickly as possible if soaked. When the Cold Weather Warning is in force, they need to take proper preventative measures. They must take a break right away and look for assistance and medical attention if sensation unwell.

Public
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In addition, numerous breathing pathogens, consisting of influenza and SARS-CoV-2, might have increasing activity and neighborhood transmission throughout winter season. Seasonal influenza vaccination is advised for all individuals aged 6 months or above, other than those with recognized contraindications. Individuals at greater danger of getting influenza and its issues, consisting of the senior and kids, need to get seasonal influenza vaccinations early. Please see information of the vaccination plans on the CHP’s site.

An individual who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the exact same time might end up being more seriously ill and would have a greater danger of death. It is very important for seniors, particularly those living in domestic care homes, to get both a seasonal influenza vaccination and a COVID-19 vaccination. They need to likewise get an extra booster versus COVID-19 according to suggestions as quickly as possible. The general public needs to likewise keep great individual and ecological health versus breathing diseases and keep in mind the following:

• Surgical masks can avoid transmission of breathing infections from ill individuals. It is vital for individuals who are symptomatic (even if having moderate signs) to use a surgical mask;
• Use a surgical mask when taking public transportation or staying in congested locations. It is necessary to use a mask correctly, consisting of carrying out hand health before using and after getting rid of a mask;
• Prevent touching one’s eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water appropriately whenever perhaps polluted;
• When hands are not noticeably stained, tidy them with 70 to 80 percent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of stained tissue paper appropriately into a lidded rubbish bin and wash hands completely later on;
• Preserve great indoor ventilation;
• When having breathing signs, use a surgical mask, avoid work or participating in classes at school, prevent going to congested locations and look for medical recommendations without delay; and
• Preserve a well balanced diet plan, workout frequently, take sufficient rest, do not smoke and prevent overstress.

Food-borne illness, especially those connected to hotpot food, are likewise typical in winter. The following preventive steps ought to be taken:

• Wash hands before dealing with and taking in food;
• Do not patronise unlicensed suppliers or those with bad sanitary requirements while choosing food;
• Wash and prepare all food completely;
• Veggies need to be cleaned completely in tidy running water before cooking and usage. When suitable, scrub veggies with tough surface areas with a tidy brush to eliminate dirt and compounds, consisting of pesticide residues and impurities, from surface areas and crevices;
• Shrimps ought to be completely prepared up until the shells redden and the flesh turns white and nontransparent;
• For shellfish such as scallops and geoduck, scrub the shells completely and get rid of internal organs;
• Do not consume any undercooked freshwater water items. To make sure that the food is completely prepared, the centre of the food need to reach a temperature level of a minimum of 75 degrees Celsius so regarding damage pathogens;
• The majority of hotpot components must be kept in a fridge at 4 degrees C or listed below, while frozen food ought to be kept in a freezer at -18 degrees C or listed below;
• Never ever utilize raw eggs as a dipping sauce for hotpot; and
• Usage various sets of chopsticks to manage raw and prepared food to prevent cross-contamination.

In addition, when utilizing fuel-burning devices, particularly in indoor locations, the general public needs to make sure sufficient ventilation to prevent damaging direct exposure to carbon monoxide gas (CO) and avoid CO poisoning.

For more health details, the general public might call the DH’s Health Education Infoline (2833 0111) or go to the CHP’s site and Facebook Fanpage in addition to news release of the Labour Department on preventative measures versus winter for outside employees and their companies when the Cold Weather Warning is in force.

The general public might likewise call Dial-a-Weather (1878 200) or go to the site of the Hong Kong Observatory for the most recent weather condition info and projections, or its page on Weather Information for Senior Citizens.