Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Department of Health (DH) today (July 26) urged the public to immediately stop consuming a batch of powdered infant formula, and to observe the health conditions of infants who have consumed the batch concerned.
 
The DH received notification from the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department last night (July 25) that the product “Frisolac Prestige Stage 1 Infant Formula” (batch number: 1W07KPJ) was found by the Macao authority with lead possibly exceeding its permissible levels. Preliminary investigation by the CFS revealed that the affected batch of the product had been imported into Hong Kong. The CFS is stepping up the surveillance of powdered infant and young children formula in the market and will continue to closely monitor the recall of the related product. No other batches of the relevant product have been found to have excessive lead content so far. The CFS has been collecting powdered infant and young children formula samples from local retail outlets for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. From 2023 to June 2026, the CFS has collected over 2 000 powdered infant and young children formula samples from the market for chemical and microbiological testing, including lead content tests. No unsatisfactory samples for lead content were found.
 
The DH has set up a telephone hotline (2125 1199), which will operate from 3pm to 9pm today, and from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays), to answer public enquiries relating to the health conditions of infants and the switching of milk formula. The DH will refer the relevant cases to the Hospital Authority for follow up if necessary.
 
When parents switch milk formula for their children, they should note the following: (i)choose the type of formula appropriate for the child’s age; (ii) different brands of formula milk may have different dilution methods, parents shall follow the instructions of dilution method as indicated by the new brand of formula; and (iii) there may be changes in the child’s stool frequency, texture and/or colour after switching the formula. This is because the amount of additives like iron, prebiotics, etc., does vary amongst the different brands, and such changes are acceptable. For details, please refer to the ” Points to note when switching milk formula for your child” on the DH website.
 
Lead has no essential function in man. It is always good for health to achieve the lowest possible lead level in the body. Acute exposure to high doses of lead may cause abdominal pain and vomiting. Chronic exposure to lead, depending on the lead level inside the body, is associated with a wide range of health effects, including neurodevelopmental effects, anaemia, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal symptoms, impaired renal function and neurological impairment.
 
The DH urged the public not to let infants and young children consume the affected batch of the product. If infants and young children feel unwell after consuming the product concerned or if parents are in doubt, they should seek advice from healthcare professionals as soon as possible.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The International Arts Carnival 2026: “Alice in Wonderland – Reimagined through the Looking Glass” Stage Performance presented by Yip’s Children’s Choir scheduled for today (26 July) at Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall at 3pm has been rescheduled to 4pm due to the inclement weather conditions.  

For enquiries, please call 2694 2509 (Sha Tin Town Hall); or contact the presenter, Yip’s Children’s Choir, at 2881 0071 during office hour or via email: enquiries@yipshk.com.
 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat at suitable intervals:

The Marine Department announces that the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan has been reopened.

For details of ferry schedules, please contact relevant shipping companies direct.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The No. 8 Southwest Gale or Storm Signal issued by the Hong Kong Observatory in the morning today (July 26) remains in force.  
 
     The Home Affairs Department has so far opened 29 temporary shelters in various districts and 235 people have sought refuge at the shelters.
    
     As at 10am, the Government’s 1823 Call Centre and the Fire Services Department received 35 reports and 153 reports of fallen trees respectively, while the Drainage Services Department received one report of flooding. No report of landslide has been received so far.

     According to the Hospital Authority, as at 10am, 18 people (seven males and 11 females) were injured during the typhoon period. They received medical treatments at the Accident and Emergency Departments of public hospitals.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 26) appealed to members of the public for heightened vigilance against melioidosis infection following adverse weather conditions and urged them to maintain personal and environmental hygiene. 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.
 
     Melioidosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Burkholderia pseudomallei is widespread in soil and muddy water, particularly common in moist clay soil. Humans can become infected through contact with contaminated soil and surface water (especially through skin abrasions/wounds), inhalation of contaminated dust/water droplets, and ingestion of contaminated water. Those with underlying diseases or immunosuppression have higher risks of contracting the disease.

According to overseas literature and local data, Burkholderia pseudomallei in the soil and muddy water may be exposed to the ground after typhoons or storms, and the bacteria spread more easily with strong winds and storms. As such, infection cases are more common after typhoons or storms.

In view of the recent disturbance caused by typhoons and consecutive days of torrential rain, the CHP again reminded members of the public, in particular high-risk groups such as those with underlying diseases, to avoid contact with soil or muddy water as far as practicable to prevent melioidosis infection.

Melioidosis is endemic in Hong Kong, and human infection cases have been recorded in Hong Kong each year. In 2025, 21 melioidosis cases were recorded. In light of the cluster of melioidosis cases recorded in Sham Shui Po in 2022, the CHP and the Water Supplies Department have implemented a series of precautionary and monitoring measures, including the installation of high-efficiency particulate air filters at the ventilators of all fresh water service reservoirs in Hong Kong, enhancing residual chlorine levels in drinking water, continual monitoring of residual chlorine levels in fresh water service reservoirs and consumers’ taps, as well as health education and surveillance of infection cases. No abnormalities were detected from all surveillance results so far, including those conducted after typhoons and heavy rain, while the drinking water quality monitoring results have consistently been in compliance with the Hong Kong Drinking Water Standards.

Person-to-person transmission and animal-to-human transmission are rare but may occur through contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. Melioidosis may present with localised infection (such as cutaneous abscess), pneumonia, meningoencephalitis, sepsis, or chronic suppurative infection. Depending on the site of infection, common symptoms of melioidosis include fever, headache, localised pain or swelling, ulceration, chest pain, cough, haemoptysis, and swelling of regional lymph nodes. The CHP again 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. 

The CHP reminded members of the public to 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;
• If exposure to contaminated water or soil is inevitable, high-risk individuals should wear a mask, gloves and boots;
• 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.

 
For more information on melioidosis, please visit the website of the CHP www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/101110.html.