Beware of Mad Honey: CHP Investigates Suspected Poisoning Case

2024-08-05 17:30 Last Updated At：08-06 00:19

CHP investigates case of suspected mad honey poisoning

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 5) investigating a case of suspected mad honey poisoning, and reminded the public to buy honey from a reliable source or apiary.

A 42-year-old female developed hypersalivation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and drowsiness around one hour after consuming honey yesterday (August 4). She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital on the same day and was admitted for treatment due to hypotension and bradycardia. The patient was in stable condition. Her clinical diagnosis was suspected mad honey poisoning.

Initial enquiries revealed that the patient consumed honey brought to Hong Kong by a friend from Nepal. The poisoning might have been caused by grayanotoxin. The investigations are ongoing.

"Mad honey poisoning is caused by ingestion of honey containing grayanotoxins derived from plants belonging to the Ericaceae family, including rhododendrons. Grayanotoxins are neurotoxins which can affect nerves and muscles. Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, weakness, excessive perspiration, hypersalivation and paraesthesia shortly after ingestion. In severe cases, hypotension, bradycardia or shock may occur," a spokesman for the CHP explained.

Members of the public are reminded to take heed of the following preventive advice:

Miss Law's Beijing Visit Highlights Cultural Cooperation and Film Industry Development with Chinese Officials.

2025-04-03 21:15 Last Updated At：21:28

SCST continues visit to Beijing

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, and some members of her delegation, continued their visit in Beijing today (April 3). They called on the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the China Film Administration.

Miss Law visited "Ancient China" exhibition at the National Museum of China in the morning. Then, she met with the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Mr Gao Zheng, and briefed Mr Gao on the preparations for the Asia Cultural Co-Operation Forum 2025. The forum will be held on April 22 and 23 with the theme of "Connect, Create, Engage: Bridging Cultures for all". Miss Law thanked Mr Gao for taking the time to lead the delegation to Hong Kong to participate and was very encouraged by the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and hoped that the forum would become an important platform for promoting cultural co-operation in the Asian regions. Miss Law also said that the National Museum of China showed an example of how to enrich the content of Hong Kong's museums and enhance the museum experience for citizens and visitors to Hong Kong. Mr Gao said that the National Museum of China will fully support and provide professional guidance for the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to establish a museum to introduce the country's development and achievements and to prepare exhibitions related to the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Anti-Japanese War.

In the afternoon, Miss Law met with the Executive Deputy Director-General of the China Film Administration Mr Mao Yu. She sincerely thanked the Central Government for its strong support to Hong Kong and expanded the liberalisation measures to Hong Kong's film industry under the framework of the Agreement on Trade in Services of Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, which has facilitated the Hong Kong film industry entering into the Mainland market. Mr Mao said that there are many outstanding young film talents in Hong Kong, and they can be given more opportunities to develop and participate in film-related activities in the Mainland to broaden their horizons. Miss Law hoped to work with the China Film Administration in the future to promote in-depth exchanges between the film industries of the two places, and jointly foster the high-quality development of Hong Kong and Chinese film industries.

Miss Law also visited the Hall of Honor of the Training Center of the General Administration of Sport of China and was briefed by the Director of the Training Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, Mr Yang Xinli. Through introducing the stories behind the photos and exhibits, Miss Law learnt about the spirit of resilience and perseverance of the national athletes, as well as their struggles to win honours for the country. Miss Law said these touching stories not only demonstrated the country's significant achievements in sports, but also embodied the national spirit of unity and progress, which are good examples for Hong Kong athletes to learn from.

Miss Law will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (April 4) noon.