New Melioidosis Case in Hong Kong: Public Urged to Maintain Hygiene After Recent Storms

CHP announces one new melioidosis case

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 16) announced that one new melioidosis case was recorded in the past week (January 9 to 15). The CHP appealed to members of the public to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to prevent melioidosis. The CHP also specifically reminded high-risk groups, including the elderly and people with underlying diseases, to avoid contact with soil or muddy water after typhoons or storms with a view to lowering infection risk.

The case involves a 58-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Kwai Tsing District. He presented with a fever and vomiting since January 10, followed by confusion on the next day (January 11). He was then sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of Yan Chai Hospital and is currently in the intensive care unit in critical condition. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. His clinical sample was confirmed to be positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei upon testing.

The CHP is investigating the infection source of the case. Initial epidemiological investigations revealed that the case is sporadic. No epidemiological linkages have been established between this case and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong.

As of yesterday (January 15), one melioidosis case has been recorded in Hong Kong this year. In 2025, 21 melioidosis cases were recorded.

Person-to-person transmission and animal-to-human transmission are rare, but the bacteria causing melioidosis can survive in the local environment. Melioidosis is an endemic disease in Hong Kong, and melioidosis cases have been recorded in Hong Kong each year.

According to literature, melioidosis cases are more common after typhoons or rainstorms. The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei in soil and muddy water may become exposed to the ground after typhoons or rainstorms, and the bacteria could spread more easily with strong winds or rainstorms. As such, the number of melioidosis cases may increase.

With this in mind, where practicable, members of the public should stay indoors during typhoons and rainstorms, avoid travelling to areas with potential flooding, and not wade in or have contact with muddy water and soil. In addition, high-risk individuals should avoid paths near stormwater drains where aerosols may be generated from contaminated water.

Members of the public should also take the following preventive measures against infection:

Avoid contact with contaminated soil;

Wear appropriate protective clothing or footwear when participating in activities with possible contact with soil or water, e.g. using gloves and wearing boots. High-risk individuals may also consider wearing a surgical mask;

Wash or shower after exposure to contaminated water or soil;

Always clean any wounds as soon as possible and cover them with waterproof dressings;

Wash hands with liquid soap and water after handling soil or gardening;

Observe food hygiene and avoid drinking raw water; and

Travellers can contract the disease through outdoor water sports. Risk of infection can be minimised by avoiding exposure to water sources (such as rivers, ponds or lakes) that might be contaminated.

The CHP appealed to members of the public to seek medical advice if they develop symptoms, in particular people with diabetes or other immunocompromising conditions, in order to receive an appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment. For more information on melioidosis, please visit the website of the CHP atwww.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/101110.html.

Source: AI-found images

Government launches consultation work on improving complaint handling mechanism of MCHK

To improve the complaint handling mechanism of the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK), the Government will introduce a bill to the Legislative Council in the first half of this year to amend the Medical Registration Ordinance. The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, chaired the first consultation meeting today (January 16) to meet with representatives of patient groups and listen to their views.

Professor Lo said, "Members of the public have very high expectations of the MCHK in actively discharging their primary responsibility of safeguarding doctors' professional standards and ethical conduct. Patient groups are important stakeholders. They offered highly constructive suggestions at today's meeting. I look forward to continuing in-depth discussions with other stakeholders to explore proposals to improve the complaint handling mechanism of the MCHK, with a view to maintaining public trust in the medical profession."

At the request of the Secretary for Health, the MCHK earlier submitted a report on improving its complaint handling mechanism to the Health Bureau. The Health Bureau is reviewing the report and the supplementary information subsequently provided by the MCHK, and will consider the report's recommendations and the operational needs of the MCHK in proposing amendments to the Ordinance.

The Health Bureau will continue the consultation work by meeting with professional bodies and relevant stakeholders shortly to listen to their views.

Government launches consultation work on improving complaint handling mechanism of MCHK Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases