CHP announces new melioidosis case
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 23) announced that one new melioidosis case was recorded in the past week (October 16 to 22). 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 50-year-old female with underlying illnesses. She lives in Wan Chai District. Since September 30, she has had a persistent fever. On October 3, she attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Ruttonjee Hospital and was admitted for treatment. She was found to have liver abscesses after admission. Specimen taken from her liver abscesses tested positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei. The patient is currently in stable condition.
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 22), ten 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
FS calls on central ministries and commissions and visits AI enterprise in Beijing
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, began his visit to Beijing today (October 23). In the morning, he called on the China Securities Regulatory Commission and met with its Chairman, Mr Wu Qing. The two sides had a detailed exchange of views on strengthening collaboration between the Mainland and Hong Kong in securities market regulation and development, as well as further deepening mutual market access. The Chief Executive Officer of the Securities and Futures Commission, Ms Julia Leung, also attended the meeting.
In the afternoon, Mr Chan called on the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) and met with Assistant Minister of Commerce Mr Yuan Xiaoming, to exchange views on further deepening economic and trade co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, accompanied Mr Chan at the meeting.
In the presence of Mr Chan and Mr Yuan, Mr Yau signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on strengthening the economic and trade co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong with the Director-General of the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs of the MOC, Mr Sun Yi, and an MOU on strengthening the exchanges and co-operation with free trade zones and ports with the Director-General of the Department of Pilot Free Trade Zone and Free Trade Port of the MOC, Ms He Yongqian, respectively, under the mechanism of the Mainland and Hong Kong Economic and Trade Co-operation Committee.
Through the signing of the MOUs, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the MOC will further strengthen exchanges and co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong in key economic and trade areas, and deepen the alignment of the Mainland's pilot free trade zones and free trade port with Hong Kong, fully leveraging their respective advantages, jointly serving the country's high-level opening-up and bringing economic and trade co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong to new heights.
Mr Chan thanked the MOC for its continuous strong support for the HKSAR Government's efforts to promote Hong Kong's economic and trade development. He said that the HKSAR Government will leverage the advantages of Hong Kong's internationalised business environment, professional services system and global resources network to further give full play to Hong Kong's dual roles as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder", enhance its competitiveness and international influence, and consolidate its status as an international trade centre, while contributing to the country's high-quality economic development.
The Chief Executive announced in the 2026 Policy Address that, following the signing in 2024 of an amendment agreement to further open up the services market of the Mainland under the framework of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), the two sides will sign an MOU to continue jointly pursuing the comprehensive upgrade of CEPA, with a view to deepening co-operation between the service sectors of Hong Kong and the Mainland, as well as further expanding Mainland market access and areas of liberalisation.
In the afternoon, Mr Chan also visited an artificial intelligence company and met with its senior management
Mr Chan will depart for Hong Kong tomorrow (October 24) morning.
FS calls on central ministries and commissions and visits AI enterprise in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS calls on central ministries and commissions and visits AI enterprise in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS calls on central ministries and commissions and visits AI enterprise in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS calls on central ministries and commissions and visits AI enterprise in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS calls on central ministries and commissions and visits AI enterprise in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
