Hong Kong Strengthens Ebola Prevention Measures Amid Outbreak in Africa

DH further strengthens training on personal protective equipment in light of Ebola disease outbreak in Africa

In light of the recent outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda in Africa, the Scientific Committee on Infection Control (SCIC) under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health convened a meeting yesterday (June 8) to review the risk of transmission of Ebola disease and confirm the current recommendations on personal protective equipment (PPE). This is to ensure comprehensive protection for healthcare professionals and related personnel against infection in the event of suspected or confirmed cases in Hong Kong.

At the meeting, the SCIC reviewed the latest developments of the Ebola disease outbreak, its modes of transmission and risks, as well as the infection control guidelines issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other health authorities. Following an in-depth discussion, the SCIC confirmed the PPE recommendations for personnel working in different settings and performing different roles to minimise the risk of healthcare professionals and relevant staff contracting Ebola. These recommendations cover healthcare settings (including caring for hospitalised patients, patient registration or triage in hospitals or clinics) and community settings (including health screenings at boundary control points, transporting patients and close contacts, working in quarantine facilities, conducting epidemiological investigations, cleaning and disinfecting community environments, and handling waste). Meanwhile, the SCIC emphasised in its recommendations that while the correct use of PPE is important, other measures, such as timely and proper hand hygiene, thorough cleaning and disinfection of the environment, and proper waste disposal are also indispensable for the effective prevention of infection and transmission.

"Ebola disease is a severe acute viral illness. The virus is introduced into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of infected animals. Human-to-human transmission mainly occurs through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of infected persons, as well as indirect contact with environments contaminated by such body fluids. Although Ebola disease is not a respiratory illness and is not spread through the airborne route, more than 60 per cent of Ebola patients experience vomiting and diarrhoea, which may create infectious droplets. These patients may also undergo medical procedures that generate aerosols. Given the disease's high fatality rate, additional precautionary measures are required," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.

He stressed that the current risk of Ebola disease is mainly confined to the outbreak areas in Africa, including the DRC and Uganda. The immediate impact on public health in Hong Kong remains low. Although no confirmed cases of Ebola have ever been recorded in Hong Kong, as an international city Hong Kong has always remained vigilant in peacetime and stayed alert constantly.

To enhance frontline personnel's understanding of infection control and ensure their safety on the job, the Infection Control Branch (ICB) of the CHP has been providing training to various government departments and organisations since late May this year (including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and its contractors for cleansing services, and the Civil Aid Service). The training covers the correct use of PPE, donning and doffing procedures, and related infection control principles.

In addition, the ICB of the CHP, in collaboration with the Infectious Disease Control Training Centre of the Hospital Authority, organised a forum on Ebola disease last month for healthcare professionals in both the public and private sectors, with more than 1 500 participants. The forum aimed to deepen healthcare professionals' understanding of Ebola and response measures, including diagnosis, clinical management and infection control measures.

The CHP will continue to closely monitor the latest developments overseas and the latest recommendations of the WHO, and will take appropriate follow-up action and implement appropriate prevention and control measures according to risk assessments to safeguard public health.

The latest recommendations of the SCIC have been uploaded to the CHP website.

In light of the recent outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda in Africa, the Scientific Committee on Infection Control under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health convened a meeting yesterday (June 8) to review the risk of transmission of Ebola disease and confirm the current recommendations on personal protective equipment (PPE). This is to ensure comprehensive protection for healthcare professionals and related personnel against infection in the event of suspected or confirmed cases in Hong Kong. To enhance frontline personnel's understanding of infection control and ensure their safety on the job, the Infection Control Branch (ICB) of the CHP has been providing training to various government departments and organisations since late May this year. Photo shows the ICB of the CHP providing training to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and its contractors for cleansing services. The training covers the correct use of PPE, donning and doffing procedures, and related infection control principles. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

In light of the recent outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda in Africa, the Scientific Committee on Infection Control under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health convened a meeting yesterday (June 8) to review the risk of transmission of Ebola disease and confirm the current recommendations on personal protective equipment. This is to ensure comprehensive protection for healthcare professionals and related personnel against infection in the event of suspected or confirmed cases in Hong Kong. Photo shows the Infection Control Branch of the CHP in collaboration with the Infectious Disease Control Training Centre of the Hospital Authority, organising a forum on Ebola disease for healthcare professionals in both public and private sectors to deepen healthcare professionals' understanding of Ebola and response measures. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

In light of the recent outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda in Africa, the Scientific Committee on Infection Control under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health convened a meeting yesterday (June 8) to review the risk of transmission of Ebola disease and confirm the current recommendations on personal protective equipment (PPE). This is to ensure comprehensive protection for healthcare professionals and related personnel against infection in the event of suspected or confirmed cases in Hong Kong. To enhance frontline personnel’s understanding of infection control and ensure their safety on the job, the Infection Control Branch (ICB) of the CHP has been providing training to various government departments and organisations since late May this year. Photo shows the ICB of the CHP providing training to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and its contractors for cleansing services. The training covers the correct use of PPE, donning and doffing procedures, and related infection control principles. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

In light of the recent outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda in Africa, the Scientific Committee on Infection Control under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health convened a meeting yesterday (June 8) to review the risk of transmission of Ebola disease and confirm the current recommendations on personal protective equipment (PPE). This is to ensure comprehensive protection for healthcare professionals and related personnel against infection in the event of suspected or confirmed cases in Hong Kong. Photo shows the Head of the Infection Control Branch of the CHP, Dr Edmond Ma (right), providing training to CHP staff on the recommendations of wearing PPE to minimise the risk of healthcare professionals and relevant staff contracting Ebola disease. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Offers of 2026-27 civil service pay adjustment

The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) made pay offers to the staff side of the four civil service central consultative councils today (June 9), under which the pay for civil servants in the upper, middle and lower salary bands and the directorate will be increased at the same rate of 2 per cent for 2026-27, effective retrospectively from April 1, 2026.

"The Hong Kong economy has recorded substantial growth over the past year alongside a mild rise in living expenses and an overall upward pay trend in the market. The fiscal position of the Government has improved in 2025-26. That said, the Government needs to be prudent in managing public finances to cater for future developments as well as unexpected needs arising from changes in the geopolitical situation. After holistically considering and balancing all relevant factors, including the economic outlook, the increase in the cost of living in the past year, the Government's overall fiscal position and the principle of prudent financial management, the positive net pay trend indicators in every salary band, the claims from the staff side and civil service morale, the Chief Executive in Council (CE in Council) made the offers to increase the pay at the same rate of 2 per cent across the board,"a CSB spokesman said.

"After the CE in Council considers the response from the staff side on the pay offers and makes a decision on the 2026-27 civil service pay adjustment, the Government will submit the pay adjustment proposal to the Legislative Council Finance Committee for consideration as soon as possible,"the spokesman added.

Source: AI-found images