CHP investigates two suspected puffer fish poisoning cases
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (November 17) investigating two suspected puffer fish poisoning cases, and reminded members of the public not to consume puffer fish.
Puffer fish, Photo source: online image
The first case involves two females, aged 31 and 52. They cooked and consumed at home a puffer fish that was caught by a friend yesterday (November 16). Approximately two hours later, they developed limb numbness, nausea, dizziness and generalised weakness. They sought medical attention at hospitals today and were admitted to Ruttonjee Hospital and Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital for treatment respectively.
The second case involves a 57-year-old female, who developed limb numbness, dizziness, vomiting and diarrhoea four hours after consuming a puffer fish cooked by herself, which was bought from a sampan at the Aberdeen pier yesterday. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Mary Hospital today and was admitted for treatment. The CHP has referred the case to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for follow up.
The three patients are now in stable condition. Preliminary investigations have not found any epidemiological link between the two cases.
The tetrodotoxin in puffer fish is a potent water-soluble neurotoxin that affects the central nervous system. It is primarily concentrated in the liver, gonads and skin of puffer fish. This heat-stable toxin does not decompose during cooking, drying or freezing.
Tetrodotoxin intoxication can affect the respiratory and circulatory systems and may be fatal in severe cases. Currently, there is no known antidote or antitoxin to decompose tetrodotoxin. Members of the public are advised to avoid purchasing and preparing puffer fish or unknown fish for consumption to prevent tetrodotoxin-related food poisoning.
The Centre for Health Protection. Photo source: reference image
SCS commends outstanding civil servants and civil service volunteers
The Secretary for the Civil Service (SCS), Mrs Ingrid Yeung, presented the SCS's Commendation Award to civil servants from various bureaux and departments with persistent exemplary work performances, and awards of the Civil Service Volunteer Commendation Scheme (CSVCS) to recognise civil service volunteer teams and individuals for their outstanding performances and contributions in participating in and promoting volunteer services at the SCS's Commendation Award and Civil Service Volunteer Commendation Award Presentation Ceremony 2025 at the Central Government Offices today (March 12). The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, also attended the ceremony to extend his congratulations to the award recipients.
Addressing the ceremony, Mrs Yeung said that all civil servants should take the initiative to understand the content of the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan and actively reflect on how to align their work with it and contribute to Hong Kong's alignment with the 15th Five-Year Plan, thereby enabling Hong Kong to better integrate into and serve the overall national development. She expressed confidence that civil servants would continue to uphold a strong sense of responsibility and mission, coupled with an innovative mindset, to enhance public service standards with a view to enabling Hong Kong to achieve high-quality development.
Mrs Yeung congratulated the awardees and thanked them for their dedication to serving the public through their work or volunteer services, setting an excellent example for the entire civil service. A total of 100 civil servants received the SCS's Commendation Award in 2025. They are from 39 bureaux and departments across 55 grades, including professional and technical grades, disciplined services and general grades. The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) has lifted, since 2024, the requirement that award recipients must have 20 years of service to be eligible for a travel award such that all awardees could benefit regardless of their length of service. Among the 2025 awardees, 16 have less than 20 years of service, which fully demonstrates the departments' readiness to commend colleagues with outstanding performances with varied lengths of service as an encouragement and as a role model.
The SCS's Commendation Award Scheme was introduced in 2004 to commend staff members who have achieved exemplary work performance continuously for five years or above. The Scheme has a rigorous selection process requiring nominations from Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Departments or Heads of Grades and adjudication by a high-level selection committee of the Government; the final decision on the awardees' list is made by the SCS.
Senior Scientific Officer (Forecast Development) of the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) Mr Wong Wai-kin, who received the SCS's Commendation Award, is currently responsible for the development of nowcasting techniques for rainstorms and hazardous weather, and overseeing the operation of the nowcasting systems. He leads the team in developing AI-based technologies and applications in nowcasting to enhance the HKO's forecasting services. Furthermore, he plays an active role in fostering international co-operation through his participation in the World Meteorological Organization's projects and expert teams, as well as providing training for and sharing forecasting techniques with Southeast Asian countries.
Chief Customs Officer of the Customs and Excise Department Mr Wong Chi-ming also received the SCS's Commendation Award. Having served in various key positions including the Customs Drug Investigation Bureau, he possesses extensive frontline enforcement experience. Together with his team, he successfully handled cases involving the emerging drug etomidate, effectively intercepting both supply sources and distribution channels, demonstrating his determination to combat drug abuse and safeguard youth development.
Launched in 2024, the CSVCS includes awards for volunteer teams and individuals. Serving civil servants, government contract staff and retired civil servants are eligible for nomination for the awards. In 2025, six government departments received the Outstanding Volunteer Team Award, seven volunteer teams received the Meritorious Volunteer Service Award (the list of award recipients is in the Annex), and 435 staff received individual awards, a nearly 30 per cent increase compared to the last round, and the total volunteer service hours also rose by about 11 000 hours to 53 000 hours, highlighting a significant surge in civil servants' commitment and enthusiasm for volunteer services.
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department Staff Club Volunteer Services Team received the Meritorious Volunteer Service Award. The volunteer team has launched the Environmental Friendly LED Bulb Replacement Caring Programme in Wong Tai Sin District in collaboration with the Care Team (Wong Tai Sin) since September 2024. The team, utilising their electrical expertise together with the district networks of the Care Team, regularly visits elderly households in the district to replace conventional light bulbs with energy-saving LED alternatives for them and provide advice on electrical safety and energy conservation. The service has reached 80 elderly households to date, with volunteers contributing more than 400 service hours.
The Oi Kwan Volunteer Group Limited of the Correctional Services Department has also been presented with the Meritorious Volunteer Service Award. Its Dog Unit Volunteer Sub-team collaborates with a non-profit animal welfare organisation, where professionally trained volunteers provide basic training in social etiquette and basic obedience to stray dogs to enhance their adoption prospects. The volunteer team further engages youth groups to teach them basic dog training techniques and arrange for them to participate in dog training with a view to instilling the concept of respecting life to foster their awareness of animal care. Since May 2024, the team has contributed amounting to 300 service hours.
To enhance public understanding of the achievements and dedication of award-winning civil servants to serving society, the CSB and Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) have jointly produced a 10-episode, five-minute television series entitled "United to serve the community - Good stories of civil servants", and a two-episode, five-minute television programme entitled "Volunteering for the well-being of our community - Good stories of civil servants", featuring awarded outstanding civil servants, departmental volunteer teams and individuals. The programmes will be broadcast on RTHK TV31 this month and in April this year. Details are as follows:
Programme |
Date |
Time |
"United to serve the community - Good stories of civil servants" |
March 23 to April 1, 2026 |
9.25pm |
"Volunteering for the well-being of our community - Good stories of civil servants" |
April 11 and 12, 2026 |
9.25pm |
SCS commends outstanding civil servants and civil service volunteers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCS commends outstanding civil servants and civil service volunteers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCS commends outstanding civil servants and civil service volunteers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCS commends outstanding civil servants and civil service volunteers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCS commends outstanding civil servants and civil service volunteers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
