DH announces latest situation regarding Legionnaires' disease cases
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (March 9) reported the latest number of Legionnaires' disease (LD) cases, and reminded the public of the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.
From March 1 to 7, the CHP recorded two community-acquired LD cases. The details of the cases are as follows:
1. a 39-year-old female patient with good past health living in Yau Tsim Mong District; and
2. an 89-year-old male patient with underlying illnesses living in Kwun Tong District.
The CHP is conducting epidemiological investigations to identify the potential sources of infection and high-risk exposure. An initial investigation revealed that these are sporadic cases. No epidemiological linkages have been established between these cases and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong.
As of March 7, 13 LD cases had been recorded this year. In 2025 and 2024, there were 167 and 135 LD cases respectively.
Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpool spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or ships.
Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpool spas, water fountains, humidifiers and home respiratory devices that support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.
Immunocompromised persons should:
Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices; and
If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.
The public should observe the health advice below:
Observe personal hygiene;
Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) or less and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
Seek and follow doctors' professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:
Wear gloves and a face mask;
Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.
The public may visit the CHP'sLD page, theCode of Practice for Prevention of LDand theHousekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Managementof the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP'srisk-based strategyfor prevention and control of LD.
Additionally, as smokers and alcoholics are more susceptible to LD, the Government urgesmembers of the public to quit smoking and avoid drinking. Members of the public may call the DH Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline at 1833 183, which is answered by registered nurses who provide professional counselling and referral to a wide range of free smoking cessation services. The public may also visit the smoking cessation thematic website (www.livetobaccofree.hk) for more information on smoking cessation. The DH has also launched the Pilot Alcohol Cessation Counselling Service, which provides free counselling to people identified as having probable alcohol dependence, through a subvented non-governmental organisation, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs). Information on the service has been uploaded to the DH'sChange for Healthwebsite. Eligible persons who are interested can call the enquiry hotline of the TWGHs (2884 9876).
Source: AI-found images
EPD to implement new qualifying standards for environment-friendly commercial vehicles from April 2026
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (March 9) announced the amended qualifying standards (QS) for the first registration tax concessions for heavy and light duty environment-friendly commercial vehicles (EFCVs), which will take effect from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, inclusive.
Details of the amended QS for heavy and light duty EFCVs are as follows:
1. Heavy duty commercial vehicles (with a design weight of more than 3.5 tonnes):
i. The QS for heavy duty commercial vehicles will be revised to "Emit at least 30 per cent less nitrogen oxides (NOx) than the China VI-b or Euro VI emission limit", i.e. the corresponding national standard will be added to the current QS. As the NOx emission limits of both standards are currently the same, the QS emission limit will remain unchanged.
2. Light duty commercial vehicles (with a design weight of not more than 3.5 tonnes):
i. The QS for light duty commercial vehicles (excluding taxis) will be tightened to "Emit not more NOx than the China 6b emission limit" (the emission limit of China 6b is approximately 40 per cent to 60 per cent of that for Euro 6);
ii. The QS for taxis will remain unchanged, i.e. emit at least 80 per cent less NOx than the Euro 6 emission limit.
The first registration tax concession rates and their concession caps for all EFCVs will remain unchanged.
To improve roadside air quality and safeguard public health, the Government has been offering first registration tax concessions since April 1, 2008, to encourage commercial vehicle owners to choose EFCVs with exhaust emissions that outperform the prevailing statutory emission standards.The EPD reviews the QS of EFCV models annually in light of vehicle technological advancements, market availability and the prevailing statutory emission standards for the first registered vehicles.
The EPD regularly updates the list ofEFCV models as new models enter the local market. Details of the tax concession scheme for EFCVs are available at
www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/prob_solutions/environment_friendly_commercial_vehicles.html.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD), Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
