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.
Celebrating 77th anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China and 29th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to motherland - CAS Cadet Corps Foot Drill Competition 2026 held
The Civil Aid Service (CAS) today (September 6) held the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the 29th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, and the CAS Cadet Corps Foot Drill Competition 2026 at its headquarters. The competitions and award presentation ceremony were officiated by the Head of the Government Laboratory, Government Chemist, Dr Cheung Tsz-chun.
This year's Cadet Corps Foot Drill Competition was conducted in the form of the Chinesestyle foot drill, aiming to strengthen their sense of belonging to the country, patriotism and national identity. More than 250 cadets formed into 14 teams in the competition, earning nine awards in total. A new National Security Cup (Overall Champion) was added this year to encourage and recognise members who achieve outstanding results across the various competition categories.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Cheung said that witnessing the cadets' pursuit of "doing well and doing even better" in drills perfectly aligns with the professional spirit of their work at the Government Laboratory. Earlier, the CAS organised a summer internship and experience program for its Cadet Corps, selecting members to intern at the Government Laboratory. He observed, across various learning sessions, the curiosity and thirst for knowledge that each member displayed toward the unknown. When laboratory colleagues demonstrated to the cadets how to analyse samples with precision instruments and how to discover facts using scientific methods, many cadets eagerly asked questions, which were both deep and creative.
He said that laboratory work is closely related to national security and citizens' lives. From food security, biosecurity and environmental monitoring to forensic testing and public health, the Government Laboratory applies scientific knowledge every day to safeguard society, protecting the health and safety of the public. The core of laboratory work, like what the cadets demonstrate on the drill field, is the same: mission, responsibility, discipline, and a heart for serving society.
He said that since its establishment, the CAS Cadet Corps has been dedicated to youth training, using discipline training, community service, and various learning activities to help young people develop proper values and a spirit of serving society. He said he hopes that, through the summer internship and the experience of visits to the Government Laboratory, a seed of scientific curiosity will be planted in the cadets' hearts; and he encouraged them to remain curious, ask questions, and dare to try, as these qualities will become their most valuable assets regardless of the profession they choose in the future.
Dr Cheung said that looking ahead, the CAS will continue to encourage cadets to participate in discipline training and community service, and to assist in promoting national security education, cultivating young people to become future leaders and responsible citizens.
The CAS Cadet Corps accepts applications throughout the year. For details on recruitment and application forms, please visit the CAS website (www.cas.gov.hk/eng/org/cadet_corps.html).
Source: AI-found images
