Hong Kong team achieves excellent results at International Junior Science Olympiad
A team of six students representing Hong Kong achieved outstanding results in the 21st International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO 2024), winning a total of two gold and four silver medals.
The IJSO is a science competition for secondary students aged 15 or below. The competition, covering physics, chemistry and biology up to the senior secondary level, comprises written assessments and science experiments that require students to analyse and solve unfamiliar problems. The IJSO 2024 was held in Romania from December 2 to 12 with the participation of around 300 contestants from 52 countries or regions.
Chan Tsz-kiu (Queen's College) and Tian Yu-yang Timothy (St. Paul's Co-educational College) each won a gold medal. Silver medalists are Chan Wai-yu (Po Leung Kuk No. 1 W. H. Cheung College), Chan Wing-yan (St. Paul's Co-educational College), Ma Sum-yuet (St. Paul's Co-educational College) and Yang Chun-chak (St. Paul's Co-educational College).
The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, congratulated the Hong Kong team today (December 13) on their remarkable performance. "The excellent results of the Hong Kong team, which have demonstrated our students' exceptional talent in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) and their persistence in learning, is indeed very commendable. The Education Bureau (EDB) will continue to strengthen the promotion of STEAM education in primary and secondary schools to nurture innovation in students, as well as step up the promotion of the effective use of the school-based student talent pool for identifying and nurturing more STEAM talent," she said.
"The EDB has been attaching great importance to the grooming of gifted students and will strengthen the collaboration with the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) to offer more diversified training, and arrange for students to participate in territory-wide, cross-territory, national and international competitions so that students with potential in STEAM subjects have more opportunities to further develop their potential and nurture future innovation and technology talent for Hong Kong," she added.
The members of the Hong Kong team achieved excellent results in the International Junior Science Olympiad - Hong Kong Screening last year. They subsequently completed the science enhancement programmes provided by the HKAGE. The outstanding students in the programmes were then selected as contestants representing Hong Kong to participate in the IJSO 2024. The Hong Kong team was fully funded by the EDB to join this competition.
Hong Kong team achieves excellent results at International Junior Science Olympiad Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH investigates case of severe paediatric influenza A infection
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 26) investigating a severe paediatric influenza A infection case. The CHP urged the public to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent influenza and other respiratory illnesses.
The case involves a 6-year-old girl with good past health who presented with a cough since July 20. She developed a fever, runny nose, sore throat and tiredness on July 23 and was brought to seek medical attention at a private clinic. As her symptoms persisted, she was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of Prince of Wales Hospital on July 24, and was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit for treatment. Her respiratory specimen collected by the hospital on July 24 tested positive for influenza A (H1) virus. Her clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with shock. The patient remains hospitalised in stable condition and is transferred to a general ward.
The CHP's preliminary investigation revealed that the girl had received the 2025/26 seasonal influenza vaccination. As the patient travelled to Japan during the incubation period (July 16 to 19), the CHP classified the case as an imported case. The CHP will continue to investigate the case. One of the girl's household contacts developed mild upper respiratory symptoms and tested negative for influenza virus. The CHP will continue to investigate the case.
Since Hong Kong entered the influenza season in late June, the influenza activity has continued to increase. Based on historical surveillance data, the CHP expects the influenza activity to rise steadily for some time after the start of the influenza season before reaching its peak and is expected to remain high in the coming weeks.
The CHP reminded members of the public, especially children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, to seek medical advice promptly for early treatment if they present with fever and respiratory symptoms. As the health condition of children with influenza can deteriorate rapidly, parents must pay close attention to their condition, and visit an accident and emergency department immediately if the child's condition deteriorates with symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, a persistent fever or convulsions.
In addition, the public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent contracting influenza and other respiratory illnesses. Given that Hong Kong is currently in the influenza season and the COVID-19 activity has significantly increased, high-risk individuals should wear surgical masks when staying in crowded places; the general public is also advised to wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. People with respiratory symptoms, even if mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly. They should also consider whether to attend work or school. If symptomatic individuals live with high-risk or immunocompromised persons, they should also wear a surgical mask at home to minimise the risk of cross-infection. They should also ensure proper ventilation indoors and enhance the cleaning and disinfection of the household environment.
Members of the public may refer to the CHP'sCOVID-19 & Flu Express,Seasonal Influenza Webpage,COVID-19 Vaccination Programme Webpage, andVaccination Schemes Webpage, for the latest information.
Source: AI-found images
