Health Authorities Urge Hygiene Precautions Ahead of Chinese New Year Amid Rising Infectious Disease Risks

DH reminds public to remain vigilant against infectious diseases and food poisoning to stay healthy during Chinese New Year

With the Chinese New Year holidays approaching, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 12) reminded the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene and adopt appropriate measures to guard against infectious diseases and food poisoning, both locally and when travelling abroad. The public should avoid travelling or participating in gatherings when feeling unwell.

Seasonal influenza and other respiratory diseases

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Although the influenza activity in Hong Kong is currently at a low, influenza activity still remains at a relatively high level in many popular travel destinations for Hong Kong citizens, such as some areas in North America and Europe. Moreover, the overall influenza activity has increased again in Korea and Japan recently, with the major circulating virus strain having changed from the earlier influenza A (H3) to influenza B. People who will travel should pay attention to the influenza situation at their destinations before departure.

"With the increase in cross-border travel and the number of incoming visitors, the risk of influenza transmission will also increase. Moreover, based on past experience, Hong Kong's winter influenza season typically occurs in the first quarter. With the persistent cold weather and the possibility of a change in circulating virus strains, it cannot be ruled out that the influenza activity will increase again later. Receiving seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) is still one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications. Vaccination also reduces the risk of hospitalisation and death from infection. The public should receive vaccination as soon as possible regardless of staying locally or planning to travel abroad, as it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body for sufficient protection against the influenza virus. All individuals aged 6 months or older, except those with known contraindications, should act promptly if they have not yet received an SIV, including those who contracted influenza in the past few months, in order to safeguard personal health," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.

Regarding other respiratory diseases, although COVID-19 activity is currently maintaining a low level, there are generally periodic upsurges in the COVID-19 activity level approximately every six to nine months. It has been over seven months since the end of last periodic upsurge of COVID-19 activity. There may be another periodic upsurge in Hong Kong in the next few months. Members of the public should receive a COVID-19 vaccine in a timely manner to reduce the risk of serious illness and death due to COVID-19. Under the current Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, individuals aged 6 months or above are eligible for free initial vaccine doses. High-risk priority groups can receive booster doses for free at least six months after the last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later), regardless of the number of doses received previously.

In addition, the activity of the respiratory syncytial virus is maintaining a high level in many regions in North America and Europe.

To prevent respiratory diseases, members of the public should maintain good personal, hand and environmental hygiene. Members of the public with respiratory symptoms, even if the symptoms are mild, should wear a surgical mask, avoid crowded places and seek medical advice promptly. They should maintain hand hygiene before putting on and after removing a mask.

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE), norovirus infection and food poisoning

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"Norovirus food poisoning cases related to consumption of raw oysters have significantly increased recently. Members of the public, especially pregnant women, young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems or liver diseases, should stay vigilant during Chinese New Year meal gatherings, avoid consumption of raw oysters or partially cooked bivalve shellfish. In general, the norovirus is more active in winter (around December to March). As the norovirus is highly contagious, individuals may become infected after being exposed to even a small amount of it. The norovirus can be transmitted through various means, such as eating contaminated food, contacting the vomit or excreta of infected persons, and contacting contaminated objects, leading to the possibility of a large-scale outbreak," Dr Tsui said.

In addition to food poisoning, the norovirus can also cause AGE. Norovirus activity in neighbouring areas, including Japan and Korea, has also been increasing. Norovirus activity in Korea has surpassed the levels seen in the same periods of the past few years. Locally, the number of AGE outbreaks has continued to increase since early January this year. There have been 40 AGE outbreaks recorded so far this year (as of February 11), involving 306 persons. According to the CHP's sentinel surveillance data, the AGE activity level has also shown an upward trend recently in Family Medicine Clinics, private medical practitioner clinics and child care centres/kindergartens.

"To prevent food poisoning, apart from maintaining personal hygiene, all food should also be thoroughly washed and cooked before consumption. Before handling food or eating, and after using the toilet, members of the public should wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds, then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel or hand dryer. Since alcohol is not effective in killing the norovirus, alcohol-based handrubs are not a substitute for handwashing with soap and water," Dr Tsui said.

Mosquito-borne diseases

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Six dengue fever cases have been recorded in Hong Kong so far this year. All of them were imported cases. The patients had travelled to the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam during the incubation period. Regarding chikungunya fever (CF), Hong Kong has recorded two confirmed CF cases so far this year, all of which were imported from the Seychelles.

"Although the northern hemisphere is currently in the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. The public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. To prevent mosquito-borne diseases, travellers should wear loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers, and apply insect repellent containing DEET to exposed parts of the body and clothing. Travellers returning from areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong," Dr Tsui said.

Measles

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Measles outbreaks in North America (namely the United States, Canada and Mexico), and Southeast Asian regions (including Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines) are ongoing due to the relatively low vaccination coverage rate in recent years. There have been over 730 cases recorded in the United States so far this year, significantly higher than the same period last year. Furthermore, the number of measles cases in Japan has also risen significantly, with 23 cases recorded as of February 4, compared to only one case in the same period last year. The number of meales cases recorded this year in Singapore and Australia were higher than the same period last year. Most overseas cases mainly affected people who were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. This shows the importance of maintaining a high vaccination rate and herd immunity within the community.

"Pregnant women and women preparing for pregnancy who are not immune to measles or rubella, as well as children aged under 1 year who are not due for the first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella-combined vaccine under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme are advised not to travel to places with outbreaks of measles. The incubation period of measles is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If such symptoms appear after returning from measles-endemic areas, people should wear surgical masks, stay home from work or school, avoid crowded places and contact with unvaccinated people, especially those with weak immune systems, pregnant women and children under 1 year old, and should consult their doctors as soon as possible," Dr Tsui said.

Nipah virus infection

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Nipah virus infection is an emerging zoonotic disease. The natural host of the virus is the fruit bat. It can affect various animals, including pigs, horses, goats, sheep, cats and dogs. According to the latest information from the World Health Organization (WHO), two confirmed cases of Nipah virus infection have recently been recorded in the North 24 Parganas District of West Bengal State, India, and one in Rajshahi, northwestern Bangladesh respectively.

The WHO has assessed the global public health risk posed by Nipah virus as low. Nevertheless, if travel to Nipah virus-affected areas is unavoidable, contact with wild animals or sick farm animals, especially bats, farmed pigs, horses, domestic and feral cats should be avoided. Furthermore, members of the public should thoroughly wash and peel fruits before consumption and avoid eating fruits with signs of bat bites or found on the ground. Drinking raw date palm sap, toddy or other juice should be avoided.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome

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The affected areas of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome primarily include the Arabian Peninsula and its neighboring countries. Over 85 per cent of the confirmed cases were reported by Middle East countries or exported to other countries directly from the Middle East. Members of the public travelling to the Middle East should avoid visiting farms, barns or markets where there are dromedary camels, as well as contact with patients and animals, especially dromedary camels. Moreover, travel agents organising tours to the Middle East should refrain from arranging visitors to ride dromedary camels or to participate in any activities involving direct contact with dromedary camels.

"Members of the public returning to Hong Kong after travelling abroad should consult a doctor promptly if they develop symptoms such as fever, respiratory symptoms, rash or gastroenteritis symptoms, and inform the doctor of their travel history for prompt diagnosis and treatment. The CHP will continue to monitor the situation of infectious diseases locally and abroad and provide timely updates to members of the public to keep them informed about the development of infectious diseases and help them prepare for precautionary measures," Dr Tsui said.

The public may visit the DH'sTravel Health Service webpagefor the latest information on infectious disease outbreaks in various parts of the world and the preventive measures.

Source: AI-found images

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (February 12), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.

Latest surveillance data

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Hong Kong has recorded two confirmed CF cases so far this year, all of which were imported cases. Last year, Hong Kong recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases. 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 is currently in 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