DH reminds public to take precautions against heat-related illnesses during very hot weather
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 26) reminded members of the public to take appropriate precautions against heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke during very hot weather.
In a high-temperature environment, excessive sweating and difficulty in heat dissipation can cause stress to the body. Members of the public should take the following precautions:
Hydrate in a timely manner to prevent dehydration;
Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting and breathable clothing to minimise heat absorption and facilitate perspiration and heat dissipation;
Keep the room well ventilated, e.g. by opening windows;
Avoid strenuous exercise and prolonged activities such as hiking or trekking;
Arrange outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible, and bring enough water; and
Avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcoholic beverages, which may speed up water loss through the urinary system.
In addition, infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, outdoor/manual workers, and overweight people are more susceptible to heat stroke. These groups should pay special attention to the following:
Avoid taking infants and young children outside when the temperature is high. If they must go outside, adults should ensure they stay in places with moderate temperatures and good ventilation or air-conditioning. Infants and young children should never be left unattended in a confined space such as a vehicle;
The elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses or overweight people should pay close attention to their health. They should seek help as soon as possible if they experience any abnormalities in health indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, etc or if there are fluctuations in their health conditions. Avoid going out when the temperature is high. Make sure there is good ventilation, or turn on a fan or air-conditioner to keep an appropriate temperature indoors. High temperatures can also worsen the condition of people with chronic illnesses (such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases). Therefore, they should have an ample supply of their usual medication and keep in contact with family members, neighbours and the community. People should seek immediate help if they feel unwell.
Outdoor/manual workers are advised to reschedule work to cooler hours as far as feasible. If working in a hot environment is unavoidable, provide shade where practicable and use ventilation and heat dissipation equipment. Once work has begun, gradually adjust the pace of work and take breaks in the shade to regain strength.
"Heat stroke is one of the most common health risks in hot weather. Over the past five years, there have been over 200 hospital admissions due to heat stroke each year in Hong Kong, with two to five fatal cases occurring mainly during the summer months from May to September. Vulnerable groups are more susceptible to heat stroke. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion. In severe cases, patients may suffer from convulsions or become unconscious, which can be life-threatening if they are not cooled down and resuscitated in a timely manner," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
Members of the public are also advised to pay attention to the latest weather, as well as the real-time and forecasted ultraviolet (UV) index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV index is high (6 or above):
Minimise direct sunlight exposure to the skin and the eyes;
Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher when participating in outdoor activities. Reapply sunscreen every two hours if staying outdoors for long periods of time, or after swimming, sweating or toweling off;
While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen before insect repellent;
Seek shade;
Wear UV-blocking sunglasses;
Wear loose-fitting clothing with long-sleeves; and
Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella.
If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat strokepage andUV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200),latestweather report and forecast, UV Indexand weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Departmenton precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Heat Stress at Work Warning is in force.
Source: AI-found images
HKETO San Francisco collaborates with HKTDC, InvestHK, and HKSTP to organise activities under Economic and Trade Express in US West
Collaborating with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco (HKETO San Francisco) hosted a series of events under the Economic and Trade Express (ETE) to help Hong Kong start-ups explore business opportunities in the Western United States during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Following the announcement in the Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address, the new functional platform ETE has been established to enable overseas Economic and Trade Offices, the HKTDC, and InvestHK to deepen their work on trade and investment promotion with greater synergy. One key highlight under the ETE is to assist Hong Kong small and medium enterprises and start-ups in exploring business opportunities in overseas markets by organising overseas business missions and providing one-stop support services such as business matching.
The HKTDC and the HKSTP led the largest-ever Hong Kong tech delegation, featuring over 60 companies with a dynamic mix of AI, robotics, healthtech, and sustainability at the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at CES 2026, which is an annual tech event that attracted more than 148 000 attendees from around the globe. Collaborating with the HKTDC, InvestHK, and the HKSTP, HKETO San Francisco organised a series of events under the ETE to facilitate connections and networking for Hong Kong start-ups, including:
On January 7 (Las Vegas time), the Hong Kong Tech Networking Reception, a highlighted programme to promote the ETE, attracted around 200 participants. They connected with founders, investors, corporate leaders, and ecosystem partners from Hong Kong for potential cross-border collaboration.
Also on January 7, the Breakfast Networking Seminar on Start-up Partnership between the State of Nevada and the Hong Kong/Greater Bay Area was held. The event, jointly organised by HKETO San Francisco, the Hong Kong Business Association of Nevada, the HKTDC, and the HKSTP, served as a welcome session for the Hong Kong delegation. Around 40 participants, including representatives of tech start-ups from the HKSTP and the HKTDC, learned about the ecosystem and business opportunities in Nevada, as well as policy incentives and packages of the state that help companies expand their businesses.
At the Silicon Dragon CES 2026 Seminar and Reception on January 6, an HKETO San Francisco-sponsored event organised by Silicon Dragon Ventures, five start-ups represented the Hong Kong delegation and showcased their products and services to over 70 venture capitalists, start-ups, and tech talents in attendance.
In addition, to further promote the business profiles of participating start-ups and facilitate business matching, HKETO San Francisco organised a series of visits to the Hong Kong Tech Pavilions by business leaders and economic development agencies from cities across the US West. They were also briefed on Hong Kong's latest innovation and technology landscape.
HKETO San Francisco collaborates with HKTDC, InvestHK, and HKSTP to organise activities under Economic and Trade Express in US West Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKETO San Francisco collaborates with HKTDC, InvestHK, and HKSTP to organise activities under Economic and Trade Express in US West Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKETO San Francisco collaborates with HKTDC, InvestHK, and HKSTP to organise activities under Economic and Trade Express in US West Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
