Secretary for Health Attended 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva

Secretary for Health attends 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time).

Professor Lo attended the Assembly as a member of the Chinese delegation. He was accompanied by the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui; and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee. The theme of this year's Assembly is "Reshaping Global Health: A Shared Responsibility", and the discussions cover a wide range of issues, including universal health coverage, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, antimicrobial resistance, health emergency preparedness and response, mental health and social connection, standardisation of medical devices nomenclature and the International Health Regulations. The Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), Mr Lei Haichao, delivered a speech about healthcare developments of the Mainland at the plenary session.

In the evening, Professor Lo and his delegation attended a thematic side event cohosted by the NHC and the health authorities of Ethiopia, Oman, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, Thailand, Peru and Brazil. The side event, themed "Shaping Future Health Systems for Equity and Access in Digital Era - From Vision to Practice", was moderated by Dr Lee and the Director of the Institute for Global Health of Peking University, Professor Ren Minghui. Mr Lei also delivered a keynote speech at the side event.

Professor Lo and Dr Lam earlier also attended a side event on dengue fever. The side event focused on topics such as dengue fever prevention and control strategies, and the promotion of incorporating physical prevention and control into global health guidelines. The Vice Minister of the NHC and Administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Mr Shen Hongbing, delivered a keynote speech at the side event.

After arriving in Geneva on May 17 (Geneva time), Professor Lo and his delegation met with Mr Lei and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Jia Guide, to discuss the latest healthcare developments of the Mainland and Hong Kong, how Hong Kong can align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan in the area of healthcare, and Hong Kong's participation in the WHO's work.

Professor Lo and his delegation will continue to attend the WHA today (May 19, Geneva time).

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows Professor Lo (third left) attending a thematic side event cohosted by the National Health Commission and the health authorities of Ethiopia, Oman, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, Thailand, Peru and Brazil. Looking on are the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (second left), and the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (fourth left). The Minister of the National Health Commission, Mr Lei Haichao (first right), delivered a speech at the event. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows Professor Lo (second right); the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (second left); the Controller of the Centre for Health of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (first left); and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (first right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows delegation members, the Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), Mr Lei Haichao (front row, centre); the Vice Minister of the NHC and Administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Mr Shen Hongbing (front row, left); the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Jia Guide (front row, right); Professor Lo (back row, left); and the Acting Deputy Director of the Health Bureau of Macao, Dr Tai Wa-hou (back row, centre). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows Professor Lo (third right); the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (second right); and the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (first right), with the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala (second left), and other attendees. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, met with the Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), Mr Lei Haichao, in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 17 (Geneva time). Photo shows Mr Lei (seventh left); the Vice Minister of the NHC and Administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Mr Shen Hongbing (seventh right); the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Jia Guide (eighth left); Professor Lo (sixth left); the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (fifth left); the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (fourth left); the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (sixth right), and other members of the Hong Kong delegation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, met with the Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), Mr Lei Haichao, in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 17 (Geneva time). Photo shows Mr Lei (centre); the Vice Minister of the NHC and Administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Mr Shen Hongbing (first right); the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Jia Guide (second right); Professor Lo (second left); and the Acting Deputy Director of the Health Bureau of Macao, Dr Tai Wa-hou (first left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP appeals for heightened vigilance against melioidosis infection following adverse weather conditions

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 26) appealed to members of the public for heightened vigilance against melioidosis infection following adverse weather conditions and urged them to maintain personal and environmental hygiene. 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.

Melioidosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Burkholderia pseudomallei is widespread in soil and muddy water, particularly common in moist clay soil. Humans can become infected through contact with contaminated soil and surface water (especially through skin abrasions/wounds), inhalation of contaminated dust/water droplets, and ingestion of contaminated water. Those with underlying diseases or immunosuppression have higher risks of contracting the disease.

According to overseas literature and local data, Burkholderia pseudomallei in the soil and muddy water may be exposed to the ground after typhoons or storms, and the bacteria spread more easily with strong winds and storms. As such, infection cases are more common after typhoons or storms.

In view of the recent disturbance caused by typhoons andconsecutive days of torrential rain, the CHP again reminded members of the public, in particular high-risk groups such as those with underlying diseases, to avoid contact with soil or muddy water as far as practicable to prevent melioidosis infection.

Melioidosis is endemic in Hong Kong, and human infection cases have been recorded in Hong Kong each year. In 2025, 21 melioidosis cases were recorded. In light of the cluster of melioidosis cases recorded in Sham Shui Po in 2022, the CHP and the Water Supplies Department have implemented a series of precautionary and monitoring measures, including the installation of high-efficiency particulate air filters at the ventilators of all fresh water service reservoirs in Hong Kong, enhancing residual chlorine levels in drinking water, continual monitoring of residual chlorine levels in fresh water service reservoirs and consumers' taps, as well as health education and surveillance of infection cases. No abnormalities were detected from all surveillance results so far, including those conducted after typhoons and heavy rain, while the drinking water quality monitoring results have consistently been in compliance with the Hong Kong Drinking Water Standards.

Person-to-person transmission andanimal-to-human transmission are rare but may occur through contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. Melioidosis may present with localised infection (such as cutaneous abscess), pneumonia, meningoencephalitis, sepsis, or chronic suppurative infection. Depending on the site of infection, common symptoms of melioidosis include fever, headache, localised pain or swelling, ulceration, chest pain, cough, haemoptysis, and swelling of regional lymph nodes. The CHP again appealed to members of the public to seek medical advice if they develop symptoms, in particular people with diabetes or other immunocompromised conditions, in order to receive appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment.

The CHP reminded members of the public to 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. usinggloves and wearing boots;
• If exposure to contaminated water or soil is inevitable, high-risk individuals should wear a mask, gloves and boots;
• Wash or shower after exposure to contaminated water or soil;
• Always clean any wounds as soon as possible and cover any cuts or grazes with waterproof dressings;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water after handling soilor 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.

For more information on melioidosis, please visit the website of the CHPwww.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/101110.html.

Source: AI-found images