CHP announces new melioidosis case
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 16) announced that one new melioidosis case was recorded in the past week (October 9 to 15). 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 case involves a 74-year-old female with underlying illnesses who lived in Sham Shui Po District. On October 4, she presented with a fever and cough with sputum. On October 7, she attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Caritas Medical Centre due to shortness of breath and was admitted for treatment on the same day. Her clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. Her clinical sample tested positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei. The patient passed away on October 8 and the cause of death is under investigation.
The CHP is investigating the infection source of the case. An initial epidemiological investigation revealed that the case is sporadic. No epidemiological linkages have been established between this case and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong.
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. As of yesterday (October 15), nine melioidosis cases have been recorded in Hong Kong this year. Last year, 21 melioidosis cases were recorded.
According to literature, melioidosis cases are more common after typhoons or rainstorms. The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei in soil and muddy water may become exposed on 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. 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 at www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/101110.html.
The Centre for Health Protection. Photo source: reference image
Speech by DSJ at graduation ceremony of Legal Practical Training Course for Chinese Enterprises Going Overseas
Following is the speech by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at the graduation ceremony of the Legal Practical Training Course for Chinese Enterprises Going Overseas today (October 16):
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. I am delighted to address you all today as we mark the successful conclusion of the Legal Practical Training Course for Chinese Enterprises Going Overseas. On behalf of the Academy (Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy), I extend my heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to all of you who have contributed to the success of this course.
I would like to express our most sincere gratitude to (State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council) for their unwavering support throughout the course. Our thanks also extend to our institutional partners and esteemed moderators and speakers who have played a pivotal role in enriching every aspect of this course. Since its launch in November 2024, the Academy has already partnered with around 30 international organisations and professional bodies to deliver capacity-building programmes for over 5 000 participants worldwide, covering topics including international law, Hong Kong common law, international arbitration and Chinese Mainland law, contributing to the cultivation of foreign-related legal talent.
Over the last week of insightful lectures and lively exchange sessions covering common law, export control and sanctions, and international commercial and investment arbitration, I hope you have not only gained fresh perspectives that will advance your professional careers, but also acquired a deeper and first-hand understanding of Hong Kong's robust legal system and vibrant legal sector, and enjoyed a rewarding and fulfilling stay.
Hong Kong's legal and professional services stand ready to support Chinese Mainland enterprises in their global expansion. In last year's edition of the course, we explored the opportunities in the markets of Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa. This year, we have turned our attention to the dynamic developments in Central Asia and Latin America. Together, we now have a more complete picture of the challenges faced by Chinese Mainland enterprises going global.
In June this year, I had the privilege of joining a highly fruitful delegation led by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The visit demonstrated that Hong Kong is a trusted partner not only to these emerging markets, but also to Chinese Mainland enterprises seeking to expand into these markets and beyond.
Hong Kong is an international financial centre and international trade centre connecting global capital to the Chinese Mainland. As an international legal hub, Hong Kong can bring you a robust common law system, a deep pool of seasoned professionals with extensive international networks, and a transparent and sound regulatory framework. We offer certainty, predictability and effectiveness essential to cross-border dispute resolution.
On a related note, I am pleased to highlight several key initiatives launched by our Department (Department of Justice), this year, some of which may already have been discussed during the final panel discussion of the course just now. These include the publication of the Panel List of Hong Kong Legal Service Providers Supporting "Go Global", comprising over 70 legal services providers in Hong Kong to facilitate precise connections of Chinese Mainland enterprises with Hong Kong's legal professional services based on their specific needs for expanding overseas. Moreover, our Department has published two collections of success stories ("Collection of Success Stories: Hong Kong's Professional Services Supporting Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global"), featuring over 200 success stories. Covering various professional fields, including legal, financial, accounting and business consultancy services, as well as different industries and investment destinations, the case studies use real-life examples to demonstrate the value contributed by Hong Kong's professional services throughout the entire business cycle of internationalisation. Our professional services can offer comprehensive support, safeguard corporate interests and mitigate operational risks. I encourage you to bring in Hong Kong professional services early in the planning stage of your company's overseas expansion to minimise risks.
As we wrap up this course, I invite each of you to take a few minutes to complete the feedback form and tell us how we can improve our training courses in future.
Last but not least, I warmly invite you to join our Hong Kong Legal Week 2026, which will be held in Hong Kong from November 2 to 6 this year. As our annual flagship event, Hong Kong Legal Week brings together legal professionals, business leaders, policymakers, academics and representatives from leading international organisations from Hong Kong and around the world. This year's theme, "Collaboration & Innovation: Legal Synergy for a Shared Future", will feature practical exchanges and forward-looking discussions on cross-border trade, international legal co-operation, lawtech, and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and beyond. Please feel free to register in person or online at our website.
Ladies and gentlemen, congratulations once again. I wish you every success in your future endeavours, and a safe and pleasant journey home. Thank you very much.
Source: AI-found images
