CCIDA promotes Hong Kong's original art toys for fourth year at Thailand Toy Expo
To promote Hong Kong's original art toys, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sponsored the set-up of the Hong Kong pavilion at the Thailand Toy Expo (TTE) for the fourth consecutive year. The TTE is being held at Central World Shopping Mall in Bangkok this year with some 300 pieces of original art toys created by 20 Hong Kong designers being showcased at the Hong Kong pavilion from today (April 2) until April 5.
Attending the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong pavilion were Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Miss Yvonne Ip, the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Bangkok, Mr Parson Lam, and representatives from the Innovative Entrepreneur Association and a number of original art toy designers from Hong Kong. Miss Ip encouraged Hong Kong creative talent to grasp the opportunities for exhibiting their work overseas and to deepen their endeavours in exploring the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) markets under the country's Belt and Road Initiative.
As one of the largest toy fairs in Asia, the TTE attracts some 300 global exhibitors and 300 000 toy lovers and collectors from around the world each year. The past three editions of Hong Kong pavilion have received widespread attention and praise. With CCIDA's support, the industry's participation in the TTE has provided an effective platform for local original art toy designers and their works to step beyond Hong Kong and maintain close connections with industry professionals worldwide.
CCIDA has been supporting the Hong Kong original art toy industry to tap into ASEAN markets, including sponsoring the Hong Kong pavilion at the TTE since 2023 and large-scale exhibitions featuring different generations of Hong Kong's original art toys in Bangkok, Jakarta, Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
For more information on the Hong Kong pavilion at the TTE 2026, please visit www.instagram.com/hkarttoystory.
CCIDA promotes Hong Kong's original art toys for fourth year at Thailand Toy Expo Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CCIDA promotes Hong Kong's original art toys for fourth year at Thailand Toy Expo Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CHP announces two new melioidosis cases
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 2) announced that two new melioidosis cases were recorded in the past week (March 27 to April 1). 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 first case involves a 75-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Sai Kung District. He presented with a fever, cough and shortness of breath on March 22. He then attended the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of Tseung Kwan O Hospital and was admitted for treatment. He is currently in stable condition. His clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and his clinical sample was confirmed to be positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei upon testing. He was previously diagnosed with melioidosis in September 2024 and had recovered after hospitalisation. The possibility of a relapsed infection could not be excluded. The CHP will conduct a genetic analysis on the patient's samples. According to scientific literature, even after completing a full course of antibiotic treatment, melioidosis still carries a risk of recurrence. Burkholderia pseudomallei may not be completely eradicated and can remain latent in the body for years. When the immunity of the patient declines, the bacteria may reactivate and cause infection again.
The second case involves a 71-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Yuen Long District. He was sent to the AED of Tin Shui Wai Hospital on March 23 after falling on the floor because of bilateral lower-limb weakness. He presented with a high fever and chills at the AED and was admitted for treatment. His clinical diagnosis was septicaemia and his clinical sample tested positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei. He is currently in stable condition and has been transferred to Pok Oi Hospital for other treatment.
The CHP is investigating the infection source of the cases. Initial epidemiological investigations revealed that the two cases are sporadic. No epidemiological linkages have been established between the two cases and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong.
As of yesterday (April 1), five melioidosis cases have been recorded in Hong Kong this year. Last year, 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.
