Health Authority Updates Antibiotic Guidelines to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance and Enhance Public Health

CHP updates "Antibiotic Guidance Notes in Community Setting" to advocate appropriate antibiotic prescriptions by doctors

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 29) released the updated "Antibiotic Guidance Notes in Community Setting" (Guidance Notes), and appealed to doctors to refer to the Guidance Notes when prescribing antibiotics to patients, in order to reduce unnecessary prescriptions and work together to curb the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), safeguarding public health.

"Optimising the use of antimicrobials, including antibiotics, is one of the major strategies in the Hong Kong Strategy and Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (Action Plan) for controlling AMR. Based on the latest local epidemiology and AMR data, as well as overseas clinical guidelines, the Advisory Group on Antibiotic Guidance Notes in Community Setting (Advisory Group), established by the CHP, updated the Guidance Notes for seven common community infections in an evidence-based manner. Reflecting the slogan 'misuse today, useless tomorrow', the Guidance Notes will help doctors prescribe antibiotics more precisely, avoiding the consequence of antibiotic resistance," said the Head of Infection Control Branch of the CHP, Dr Edmond Ma.

"Private doctors play a crucial role in addressing the problem of AMR effectively. According to the latest surveillance data, private doctors accounted for approximately half of all antimicrobial usage annually over the past decade. In 2023 and 2024, private doctors used 53.9 per cent and 56.1 per cent antimicrobials in the "Access" category respectively, which the World Health Organization considers to be at lower risk of developing drug resistance. The corresponding figures for private hospitals in 2023 and 2024 were 57.7 per cent and 60.5 per cent respectively. Both figures fall below the 70 per cent target recommended at the 2024 United Nations General Assembly High-level Meeting on AMR, indicating that private doctors still have room for further improvement in the prescription practices of antimicrobials," he added.

The CHP collaborated with the Hong Kong Medical Association to host two online seminars for the medical community this week, introducing key points of the updated Guidance Notes. A letter was also issued today to all doctors in Hong Kong, urging them to make reference to the updated Guidance Notes to further curb the problem of AMR and safeguard the effectiveness of existing treatments. The CHP has also produced a new health education poster and leaflet (see Annexes 1 and 2) to help patients in understanding the importance of using antibiotics safely. Moreover, the Primary Healthcare Commission will also promote the Guidance Notes to doctors who have joined the Primary Care Directory through its newsletter and website, and distribute relevant health education resources through the network of District Health Centres.

The Government has been placing great importance on combating the problem of AMR. In 2022, the Government published the second Action Plan, outlining strategies to tackle the threat of AMR from 2023 to 2027. Measures include reviewing, updating and promoting the evidence-based guidelines for antimicrobial use in primary care. The CHP will continue to closely monitor antimicrobial usage, including the proportion of antimicrobials in the "Access" category in total utilisation, to assess trends and review relevant control strategies. Concurrently, the Government has launched the Computerised Transaction Record System in June 2025 for voluntary participation by licensed pharmaceutical traders (including pharmacies), gradually enhancing the systematic recording of antimicrobial supply and usage through electronic means.

AMR occurs when microorganisms (such as bacteria and viruses) evolve and become resistant to previously effective medications.When patients are infected with drug-resistant bacteria, their illness may be prolonged, and their risk of death may also increase. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics are the major drivers of drug-resistant bacteria.The CHP urged members of the public to work with healthcare professionals to eliminate AMR and safeguard their own health by observing the following:

• Consult a doctor promptly when having a cold, flu or COVID-19. Do not purchase antibiotics without a prescription at community pharmacies;

• Do not demand antibiotics from doctors. Only take antibiotics when advised by a doctor and complete the entire course of treatment, even if symptoms improve;

• Follow the health advice stated on the prescription bag and adopt appropriate infection control measures, such as maintaining hand hygiene, wearing a surgical mask when having respiratory symptoms, and disinfecting and covering all wounds properly to prevent person-to-person transmission of drug-resistant bacteria when taking antibiotics;

• Receive seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccines as effective means to prevent secondary bacterial infection, hence reducing the use of antibiotics and occurrence of AMR;

• Be aware of the risk of acquiring drug-resistant bacteria from ready-to-eat (RTE) food. People taking antibiotics or antacids, and high-risk populations (such as pregnant women, infants and young children, the elderly and people with weakened immunity) are at a higher risk and should avoid eating raw or undercooked RTE foods; and

• Observe good hygienic practices in the kitchen when handling food to minimise the risk of cross-contamination by drug-resistant bacteria.

For more information on AMR, please visit the CHP's website.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP), Photo source: news.gov.hk

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 29), 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.

Continuously strengthening prevention and control

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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 (including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Kwai Tsing District Office, Lands Department, Drainage Services Department, and Civil Engineering and Development Department) have been continuously conducting comprehensive mosquito control and environmental remediation work along the trails. 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 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 cases, 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