CHP investigates case of methanol poisoning
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (October 10) investigating a case of methanol poisoning and appealed to members of the public not to purchase and consume alcohol from doubtful sources.
The CHP received notification from the Hospital Authority (HA) today of a case involving an 86-year-old male who was a chronic drinker and presented with visual loss in mid-September. He sought medical attention and was hospitalised for management. He is currently in stable condition. Clinical and laboratory examination revealed elevated serum methanol level, and abnormal serum and urine formic acid (a metabolite of methanol) levels. The clinical diagnosis was methanol poisoning.
The Hong Kong Poison Control Centre of the HA having evaluated the patient's clinical and laboratory results and believed that the patient might have ingested or been exposed to methanol. Consumption of alcohol containing methanol could not be excluded. The CHP has immediately conducted a home visit today with the HA and Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to look for possible sources of methanol exposure. The investigation is ongoing.
The CHP has reminded the HA to heighten vigilance to poisoning symptoms in patients seeking treatment recently in public hospitals. No other cases of methanol poisoning have been found so far.
According to CHP's records, only one case of methanol poisoning was notified to the CHP in the past five years. The case occurred in 2024 and involved a 47-year-old ship crew member who presented with visual loss after consuming a self-prepared mixture of wine and hand rub.
The DH reminded the public that methanol is a toxic alcohol which is not intended for ingestion. Consumption of methanol can lead to damage to the central nervous system, blindness, or even death.
Members of the public are reminded not to purchase and consume alcohol from doubtful sources and to attend hospital for medical attention immediately if they suspect methanol poisoning.
Source: AI-found images
Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy and Supreme People's Court co-organise 2nd edition of Hong Kong Common Law Practical Training Course
The second edition of the Hong Kong Common Law Practical Training Course, co-organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy and the Supreme People's Court, is being held from today (January 14) to January 22. Focusing on company law, this edition will guide participants to gain a deeper understanding of Hong Kong's company law framework.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the course today, the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, said that the first edition of this course, which was held in January last year, was the inaugural programme of the Academy after its launch in 2024, and positive results had been achieved. Mr Lam expressed his gratitude to the Supreme People's Court for their continued support and trust in the Academy. He said that the course is a key initiative to implement the national policy of strengthening Mainland judges' ability to handle foreign-related cases, in line with the priorities anticipated in the 15th Five-Year Plan to be announced in March this year.
Building on the inaugural training course, this edition focuses on company law with the participation of 24 senior judges from 22 courts on the Mainland, including the Supreme People's Court and courts from 12 provinces as well as three direct-administered municipalities. The course will feature an in-depth exploration of Hong Kong's robust company law framework through lectures, dialogue sessions and interactive practices on topics such as company structures, guarantees and liquidations. Speakers of the course include Hong Kong's leading legal scholars, experts and eminent judges in the field of company law, who will share their practical insights into Hong Kong's common law system and company law. With the Ceremonial Opening of the Legal Year 2026 taking place this month, participants will attend this important annual legal event, and visit the courts and international legal institutions in Hong Kong to learn more about Hong Kong's development as a legal hub and a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Academy will continue to leverage the unique advantages of the "one country, two systems" principle and the Hong Kong common law system to organise more capacity-building programmes, thereby promoting judicial and legal exchanges and mutual learning between the Mainland and Hong Kong, and further contributing to the country's efforts to promote the construction of the foreign-related rule of law.
Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy and Supreme People's Court co-organise 2nd edition of Hong Kong Common Law Practical Training Course Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy and Supreme People's Court co-organise 2nd edition of Hong Kong Common Law Practical Training Course Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
