DH announces latest situation regarding Legionnaires' disease cases
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 7) 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 August 30 to September 5, the CHP recorded three community-acquired LD cases, involving two males and one female aged between 61 and 68. All of them had underlying illnesses. Details are as follows:
- a 61-year-old male living in Kwai Tsing District;
- a 67-year-old male living in Kwai Tsing District; and
- a 68-year-old female living in Tuen Mun District.
The CHP is conducting epidemiological investigations to identify the potential sources of infection and high-risk exposure. An initial investigation revealed that the three community-acquired cases are sporadic cases. No epidemiological linkages have been established between these cases and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong. In general, the incidence of LD is related to ambient temperature. More cases are recorded in the summer months when the ambient temperature is higher, which provides a favourable temperature range for the proliferation of Legionella bacteria.
As of September 5, 139 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's LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP's risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.
Additionally, as smokers and alcoholics are more susceptible to LD, the Government urges members 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 referrals 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 developed and promulgated the Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention tool to primary healthcare service providers to facilitate the early identification and management of at-risk drinkers. For information on alcohol-related harm, please visit the DH's Change for Health website.
The Centre for Health Protection, Photo source: reference image
InvestHK highlights Hong Kong's unique advantages as go-global platform for Mainland enterprises in Fujian
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (September 7) took part in Two-Way Cross-Border Investment Promotion Exchange and High-Quality International Development Matchmaking Session for Going-Global Enterprises hosted by the Ministry of Commerce, held on the eve of the opening of the 26th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen, Fujian Province. In the afternoon, InvestHK, together with the Department of Commerce of Fujian Province and other departments, jointly organised the Fujian enterprises going global and Fujian-Hong Kong economic and trade promotion and exchange seminar. The events encouraged Fujian enterprises to make use of Hong Kong's advantages as an ideal platform for Mainland enterprises to go global, and to leverage Hong Kong fully to achieve high-quality international development under the national Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Fujian-Hong Kong economic and trade co-operation mechanism.
The national 15th Five-Year Plan explicitly supports Hong Kong in leveraging its strengths in professional services to assist enterprises in going global, giving full play to Hong Kong's unique advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland while being closely connected to the world. In October 2025, the Ministry of Commerce and other central authorities issued the "Guiding Opinions on Further Improving the Overseas Comprehensive Service System", which sets out how the advantages of Hong Kong and Macao in cross-border investment and trade, finance and legal services will be harnessed to jointly strengthen the capacity to serve enterprises going global. In February this year, the Ministry of Commerce and the Hong Kong Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government signed the Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening co-operation and exchange in the provision of comprehensive overseas services, providing solid top-level policy support for the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force).
Held under the theme "Connecting the World through Hong Kong", the morning promotion and exchange seminar and business matching session was jointly organised by the Ministry of Commerce, the Investment Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Commerce, InvestHK, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong (GDETO), and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). During the policy interpretation of the seminar, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Foreign Investment Administration of the Ministry of Commerce Mr Wu Di explained the policies relating to "bringing in" and "going global", while Associate Director-General of InvestHK Ms Loretta Lee outlined Hong Kong's policies for investment promotion.
MsLee said, "Under the 'one country, two systems' framework, Hong Kong, as an international financial centre, boasts a world-leading capital market that offers convenient and diversified financing channels. It is also deeply integrated with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, where complementary strengths facilitate global supply chain management for enterprises. Hong Kong is now actively developing the Northern Metropolis to build a world-class innovation and technology hub. Hong Kong is not only a 'super connector' but also a 'super value-adder' that creates tangible value for enterprises. InvestHK serves as one of the core members of the GoGlobal Task Force, which is steered by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, providing one-stop, tailored support for enterprises establishing a presence in Hong Kong."
In the afternoon, the Fujian Provincial Department of Commerce and the Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Commerce, together with members of the GoGlobal Task Force, including InvestHK, the GDETO, and the HKTDC, jointly organised the Fujian-Hong Kong Joining Hands for Win-Win Development Seminar and Fujian Enterprises Going Global and Fujian-Hong Kong Economic and Trade Promotion Exchange Seminar. The event was attended and supported by Second-level Inspector of the International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Commerce Ms Yang Hao and Deputy Director-General of the Fujian Provincial Department of Commerce Mr Lin Bendong.
In his welcome remarks at the seminar, the Director of the GDETO, Mr Anthony Li, said, "Exchanges and co-operation between Fujian and Hong Kong enjoy natural advantages and deep-rooted ties. Hong Kong has long been Fujian's largest source of foreign investment, as well as a bridgehead for Fujian enterprises going global. Hong Kong can serve as a 'home port' platform for enterprises going global, helping them guard against risks and operate in compliance throughout the process, while pooling global capital and opening up business opportunities worldwide. Through the trio of the overseas Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices, InvestHK and the HKTDC, the GoGlobal Task Force builds bridges for Mainland enterprises in overseas markets and helps them find overseas partners. In early June, the Chief Executive led a delegation to two Central Asian countries. Among the Mainland enterprise representatives on the mission were two Fujian enterprises, which were successfully connected with the Central Asian market, helping them tap new markets under the BRI."
The afternoon's promotion and exchange seminar concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Deputy Director of the GDETO and the Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of InvestHK Guangzhou Office, Ms Helen Yip. Representatives from the HKTDC, Hong Kong financial and legal professional services providers, and a representative from a Mainland enterprise using Hong Kong to go global, shared views on how Hong Kong's advantages can empower Fujian enterprises to expand into overseas markets.
InvestHK highlights Hong Kong's unique advantages as go-global platform for Mainland enterprises in Fujian Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
InvestHK highlights Hong Kong's unique advantages as go-global platform for Mainland enterprises in Fujian Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
InvestHK highlights Hong Kong's unique advantages as go-global platform for Mainland enterprises in Fujian Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
InvestHK highlights Hong Kong's unique advantages as go-global platform for Mainland enterprises in Fujian Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
InvestHK highlights Hong Kong's unique advantages as go-global platform for Mainland enterprises in Fujian Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
InvestHK highlights Hong Kong's unique advantages as go-global platform for Mainland enterprises in Fujian Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
InvestHK highlights Hong Kong's unique advantages as go-global platform for Mainland enterprises in Fujian Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
