DH following up on cluster of infections of disease of temporarily unknown cause in Democratic Republic of Congo
Following reports of a cluster of infections of a disease of temporarily unknown cause in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (December 5) that it had taken the initiative to seek further information from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the DRC health authorities.
According to the information announced by the DRC health authorities, since late October, 79 deaths due to a disease of still unknown cause have been recorded in a district in Kwango province, and more than 300 people have been infected. Most of the patients were aged above 15 and suffered from fever, headache, runny nose, cough, breathing difficulty and anaemia.
"Under the current mechanism, Hong Kong has been equipped with the ability to detect infections of unknown cause and emerging infectious diseases at boundary control points and hospitals. On the immigration level, the DH has been conducting temperature screening for arrivals at all boundary control points. Those who are found to have a fever will be assessed and transferred to public hospitals for medical examination as appropriate. Upon noticing that a disease of temporarily unknown cause in the DRC, the DH has immediately tried to collect the latest information from various channels to conduct risk assessment and formulate appropriate preventive and control measures," a spokesman for the CHP said.
There are currently no direct flights between the DRC and Hong Kong. The CHP has learned from the trade that travellers coming to Hong Kong from the DRC may generally choose transit hubs in Africa to Hong Kong, including Johannesburg in South Africa and Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. In light of the disease of temporarily unknown cause in the DRC, the CHP has, as a precautionary measure, immediately stepped up health screenings at the airport for passengers on all flights arriving in Hong Kong from the above-mentioned transit hubs. Port Health staff have been arranged to carry out temperature checks for travellers at the relevant flight gates, conduct medical assessments for symptomatic travellers and refer suspected cases of infections with public health significance to hospitals for medical examination.
"Members of the public who plan to go to the DRC should be vigilant and pay attention to personal and environmental hygiene at all times, and avoid visiting crowded places and having contact with sick persons. Upon returning to Hong Kong, one should seek medical treatment as soon as possible if they feel unwell and take the initiative to inform their doctors of their relevant travel history," he added.
Since October, the DH has not received any reports of people or travellers arriving in Hong Kong from the DRC suffering from unknown diseases.
"The DH will continue to closely monitor the situation in the DRC and WHO's related information, and take appropriate preventive and control measures based on risk assessment to protect public health," the spokesman said.
Consumer Price Indices for September 2026
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (October 22) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for September 2026. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 1.9% in September 2026 over the same month a year earlier, larger than the corresponding increase (1.7%) in August 2026. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rate of increase in the Composite CPI (i.e. the underlying inflation rate) in September 2026 was 2.1%, also larger than that in August 2026 (1.9%). The larger increase in September 2026 was mainly due to the accelerated increases in inbound and outbound transport fares and the charges for package holidays.
The Census and Statistics Department. Photo source: reference image
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period ending September 2026 was 0.2%, the same as that for the 3-month period ending August 2026. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the corresponding rates of increase were both 0.2%.
Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.4%, 2.0% and 2.3% respectively in September 2026, as compared to 1.2%, 1.8% and 1.9% respectively in August 2026. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.7%, 2.2% and 2.4% respectively in September 2026, as compared to 1.6%, 2.0% and 2.0% respectively in August 2026.
Photo source: reference image
On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the 3-month period ending September 2026, the average monthly rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were all 0.2%. The corresponding rates of increase for the 3-month period ending August 2026 were 0.2%, 0.1% and 0.1% respectively. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) for the 3-month period ending September 2026 were 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.2% respectively, and the corresponding rates of increase for the 3-month period ending August 2026 were 0.2%, 0.1% and 0.1% respectively.
Amongst the various components of the Composite CPI, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in September 2026 for electricity, gas and water (12.9%), miscellaneous services (5.3%), transport (5.2%), miscellaneous goods (2.1%), durable goods (1.1%), meals out and takeaway food (1.0%), clothing and footwear (0.3%), and housing (0.2%).
On the other hand, year-on-year decreases in the components of the Composite CPI were recorded in September 2026 for alcoholic drinks and tobacco (-0.4%), and basic food (-0.2%).
Photo source: reference image
Taking the first 9 months of 2026 together, the Composite CPI rose by 1.7% over the same period a year earlier. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.5%, 1.8% and 1.9% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.7%, 1.4%, 1.8% and 1.9% respectively.
In the third quarter of 2026, the Composite CPI rose by 1.7% over the same period a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 1.3%, 1.9% and 2.1% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 2.0%, 1.7%, 2.1% and 2.2% respectively.
For the 12 months ending September 2026, the Composite CPI on average rose by 1.6% over the same period a year earlier. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.5%, 1.7% and 1.7% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.6%, 1.3%, 1.6% and 1.7% respectively.
Photo source: reference image
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that the underlying Composite CPI rose by 2.1% in September over a year earlier, up from 1.9% in the preceding month, largely driven by faster price increases in fuel-related items. Yet, price increases of other components were largely modest, thus keeping overall inflation moderate.
Looking ahead, consumer price inflation will remain under upward pressure, as persistently elevated international oil prices feed through to fuel-related components amid ongoing geopolitical tension in the Middle East. Yet, as price pressures on other fronts are expected to remain largely contained, overall inflation should stay moderate.
Photo source: reference image
Further information
More detailed statistics are given in the "Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index". Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1060001&scode=270).
For enquiries about the CPIs, please contact the Consumer Price Index Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7374 or email: cpi@censtatd.gov.hk).
