CHP announces two new confirmed melioidosis infection cases over past week
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 20) said that two new confirmed melioidosis infection cases had been recorded in the past week (September 13 to 19).
The first case involves an 80-year-old male with underlying illness who lives in Sham Shui Po. He developed a fever and decreased general condition since September 14 and was admitted to Caritas Medical Centre on the same day. He is in critical condition.
The second case involves a 70-year-old male with underlying illness who lives in Sham Shui Po. He developed a fever, diarrhoea and vomiting since September 15 and was admitted to Caritas Medical Centre on the same day. He is in stable condition.
The CHP is investigating the infection source of the cases. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing. So far, 15 melioidosis infection cases have been recorded in Hong Kong this year. In 2023, 17 melioidosis infection cases were recorded.
A spokesman for the CHP reiterated that person-to-person transmission and animal-to-human transmission are rare, but melioidosis bacteria 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. According to literature, infection cases are more common after typhoons or storms. The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei of melioidosis in soil and muddy water may become exposed to the ground after typhoons or storms, and the bacteria could spread more easily with strong winds or storms. As such, the number of melioidosis cases may increase.
The CHP reminded members of the public that melioidosis can be spread by contaminated soil and water during and after typhoons and storms. Where practicable, people should stay indoors during typhoons and storms, avoid travelling to areas with potential flooding, and do 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 any cuts or grazes 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 immunocompromised conditions, in order to receive 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.
SCED attends 8th ASEAN Economic Ministers - Hong Kong, China Consultation
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, and the Minister of Industry and Commerce of Laos, Mr Malaithong Kommasith, co-chaired the eighth Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers - Hong Kong, China (HKC) Consultation in Vientiane, Laos, today (September 20) to discuss issues relating to the implementation of the ASEAN-HKC Free Trade Agreement (AHKFTA) and the Investment Agreement (IA), and exchange views on recent regional and global economic developments.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Yau highlighted the long-term close relationship between Hong Kong and ASEAN. ASEAN is Hong Kong's second-largest partner in trade in goods, the third-largest destination of outward direct investment and the fourth-largest partner in services trade. He highlighted that the three visits to ASEAN led by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, since his assumption of office in 2022 have created business opportunities and strengthened friendships. These visits led to the signing of nearly 90 memoranda of understanding and agreements altogether.
Mr Yau said that the signing of the AHKFTA and the IA in 2017 had laid a solid foundation for the trade and economic relationship between Hong Kong and ASEAN to grow and flourish. He looked forward to the early implementation of the First Protocol to Amend the AHKFTA so that traders could benefit from the updated rules of origin as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Mr Yau announced at the meeting Hong Kong's support for the continuation of the Economic and Technical Cooperation (ECOTECH) Work Programme under the AHKFTA for another five years, with an enhanced contribution by 20 per cent to $6 million a year from 2025.
The ECOTECH Work Programme aims to build the capacities of the parties of the AHKFTA through technical assistance, knowledge transfer and information-sharing activities. So far, 35 projects have been approved covering different areas of trade and investment. Thirteen of them have been completed up to end-2023, benefitting more than 5 600 participants from both Hong Kong and ASEAN.
Mr Yau also took the opportunity to reiterate Hong Kong's keen interest and readiness for accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). He thanked ASEAN for the staunch and continued support to Hong Kong's accession bid.
"We very much hope to see the early adoption of accession procedures by RCEP members and the launching of substantive discussions between RCEP members and Hong Kong," he added.
During the meeting, Mr Yau shared with the ASEAN member states (AMS) Hong Kong's experience in supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in digital transformation and electronic commerce (e-commerce) amid the ever-changing economic environment. The support measures included the launch of the $500 million Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme, the development of the Trade Single Window, the setting up of an interdepartmental E-commerce Development Task Force, and the launch of "E-commerce Easy" to provide financial support to SMEs in doing e-commerce business.
Mr Yau also called on the AMS to join hands in eliminating barriers to digital trade and creating an environment that facilities businesses in harnessing the opportunities presented by the digital economy. He added that Hong Kong will continue to work with other World Trade Organization (WTO) members to pursue the extension of the WTO e-commerce moratorium, as well as to reinvigorate the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce, to promote inclusivity and sustainability of digital trade.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Mr Yau held a bilateral meeting with the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Kao Kim Hourn, to discuss various trade and economic issues.
Mr Yau will next visit Singapore before returning to Hong Kong on September 24.
SCED attends 8th ASEAN Economic Ministers - Hong Kong, China Consultation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED attends 8th ASEAN Economic Ministers - Hong Kong, China Consultation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED attends 8th ASEAN Economic Ministers - Hong Kong, China Consultation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED attends 8th ASEAN Economic Ministers - Hong Kong, China Consultation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
