Primary Healthcare Commission announces suspected intrusion into outsourced network system of operator of Kwai Tsing District Health Centre
The Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) under the Health Bureau announced yesterday (April 29) that the PHC Commission received notification from the Kwai Tsing Safe Community and Healthy City Association (KTSCHCA), the operator of the Kwai Tsing District Health Centre (Kwai Tsing DHC), on April 28 on suspected hacking of its outsourced service provider's network system, resulting in possible leakage of members' data. The PHC Commission is highly concerned about the incident, and has instructed the KTSCHCA to seriously follow up and to submit a report within three working days.
According to the notification from the KTSCHCA, the system involved is managed independently by its outsourced service provider, and is mainly used to assist with administrative work such as service booking or members sign-in at the Kwai Tsing DHC. The outsourced network system was hacked last Sunday (April 27), resulting in possible leakage of members' data, including names, membership numbers, dates of birth, residential districts (not full addresses) and the first four digits of the Hong Kong Identity Card of some members who have enrolled in a vaccination programme. The KTSCHCA is currently assessing the possible number of members of the Kwai Tsing DHC affected and the data involved.
The PHC Commission noted that the KTSCHCA has reported the incident to the Police and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, and has also informed the Digital Policy Office of the incident. As required by the PHC Commission, the KTSCHCA has immediately suspended the operation of the Kwai Tsing DHC's network system and all external connections to its computer servers to prevent further intrusion attempts by hackers. The KTSCHCA has also commissioned an independent cybersecurity expert to conduct an investigation and review. In view of the system suspension of the DHC, the appointments on blood taking and seasonal influenza vaccination of relevant DHC members will be rescheduled starting from yesterday. The operator of the Kwai Tsing DHC has started to notify the relevant members via phone calls and text messages, and will also inform all its members of the hacking incident. Members of the public may contact the DHC at 1878 222 for enquiries.
The system involved does not have any direct connection with the systems of DHCs/DHC Expresses in other 17 districts in Hong Kong. The operators of other DHCs/DHC Expresses have not outsourced or used the system involved. The PHC Commission has urged the operators of other DHCs/DHC Expresses to review their network systems, including the systems of their outsourced service providers, the computer security risk, and whether any suspicious activities have occurred. The PHC Commission has not received any report of similar incidents.
Besides, the Kwai Tsing DHC is a registered healthcare provider on eHealth. Currently, it connects to eHealth through the designated clinical management system (CMS) specified by the PHC Commission to assist members in registering with eHealth, managing members' participation in government-subsidised healthcare programmes and facilitating service referrals, etc. The system involved is independent of both the designated CMS and eHealth, with no direct system interfaces. Investigations also revealed that there was no intrusion into eHealth by hackers or any leakage of personal data from eHealth. However, for prudence's sake, upon receiving notification of the incident, the Commissioner for the Electronic Health Record (eHRC) has suspended the eHealth registration of the operator concerned, in order to protect data privacy and system security of eHealth. During the suspension period, the Kwai Tsing DHC is unable to access to any electronic health record in eHealth. The eHRC will only resume the connection of Kwai Tsing DHC with eHealth, after conducting a careful assessment of the detailed report submitted by the Kwai Tsing DHC and confirming that the security risks of the system are fully eliminated.
The Government emphasised that it has always attached great importance to cybersecurity. The PHC Commission is conducting a comprehensive review of the incident, including whether the cybersecurity measures of the KTSCHCA are in compliance with the requirements stipulated in the DHC operation contract, and will further strengthen the protection measures to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.
Update on chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 11), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.
Latest surveillance data
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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.
Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.
Government's comprehensive follow-up actions
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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.
Continuously strengthening prevention and control
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The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:
carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;
carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and
enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.
The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
read the label instructions carefully first;
apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
apply on exposed skin and clothing;
use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.
Source: AI-found images
