Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CHP recorded another locally acquired case of chikungunya fever
Latest case information
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The case involves a 45-year-old male living in Kwai Tsing District and working in Sheung Wan. A preliminary investigation revealed that he developed a fever, joint pain and rash on October 30. He sought medical attention at a private doctor on November 1. He was referred to the Accident and Emergency Department of the Princess Margaret Hospital and was admitted for treatment in a mosquito-free environment on the same day. He is in stable condition now. His blood sample tested positive for chikungunya virus upon laboratory testing. A preliminary investigation revealed that the patient had no travel history in the preceding three months (including the incubation period prior to onset). The case is classified as a local case.
The investigation also revealed that the patient did not visit Wong Tai Sin during the incubation period (i.e., the location of infection for the other two locally acquired cases this year). However, there is an overlap in the patient’s residence and usual activity areas with individual imported cases. The CHP will carry out genome analysis to ascertain whether it has epidemiological linkage with the imported cases confirmed in Hong Kong earlier. Investigation is ongoing.
Government’s comprehensive follow-up actions
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In response to the new local case, the CHP today has conducted inter-departmental meeting with various departments and relevant organisations, including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and Kwai Tsing District Office (KTDO), to ensure that all units implement various preventive and control measures in a speedy and orderly manner. The CHP, together with the FEHD, have inspected various locations in the vicinity of patient’s residence, conducted vector investigations and mosquito control operations to minimise the risk of local transmission.
The CHP is implementing prevention and control measures according to epidemiological investigations and risk assessment, including providing medical surveillance and health advice to five household contacts of the case or those with common exposure to the source of infection. So far, they are all asymptomatic. If necessary, the CHP will arrange for laboratory testing.
The CHP will organise an online live seminar
The CHP will again issue letters to doctors, hospitals, schools and institutions, providing the latest information on CF and reminding them to be vigilant. If there is any suspected CF cases, they should contact the CHP for follow up immediately.
The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July this year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:
The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.
As of 5pm today, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 55 confirmed CF cases this year, including three local cases and the rest are imported cases.
Preventive measures taken by the public
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Severe symptoms and deaths caused by CF are extremely rare, with a mortality rate of less than one in 1 000. The occurrence of severe complications is mostly related to the patients’ underlying health conditions. Elderly persons (particularly those aged 65 or above), young children (particularly infants under 1 year old), pregnant women and persons with chronic illnesses (such as hypertension, diabetes or heart disease) are at higher risk of developing complications after contracting CF and may require a longer recovery period. Therefore, members of the public (especially the abovementioned high-risk groups) are advised to seek medical advice promptly if they develop relevant symptoms, particularly a fever, sudden severe joint pain and skin rash, after visiting areas affected by CF.
Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of the CHPIssued at HKT 22:52
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Mainland support measures welcomed
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government welcomed the announcement by Mainland authorities today of a series of new measures to support high-level opening up and high-quality development.
One of these measures is the expansion of application of the exit endorsement for talent to Tianjin, Hebei Province, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province and Anhui Province, as well as all pilot free trade zones across the country from this Wednesday.
Noting that more than 74,000 arrivals in Hong Kong were visitors holding the talent exit endorsement as of last month, the Hong Kong SAR Government said expanding the application of the talent exit endorsement will attract and bring more Mainland talent to Hong Kong for exchanges, thereby enhancing the city’s attractiveness in pooling talent and strengthening its unique role as the country’s international talent hub.
In addition, facial recognition intelligent exit-entry clearance will be implemented at various ports in the Chinese Mainland, including the Huanggang, Luohu, Liantang, Futian and Wenjindu Ports in Shenzhen, as well as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port.
This arrangement allows travellers to complete clearance without presenting their physical travel documents, making cross‑boundary travel more convenient and efficient.
The Hong Kong SAR Government also welcomed the implementation of a series of measures at the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone’s Shenzhen Park, which facilitate Hong Kong-Shenzhen innovation and technology collaboration and the efficient cross-boundary flow of factors of production.
At the same time, the Mainland authorities will add four ports connecting Hong Kong as the entry ports under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy. The Hong Kong SAR Government noted it will attract international visitors to take Hong Kong as their entry stop or transit point in their multi-destination travel itineraries to the country, and fully leverage Hong Kong’s position as an international tourism hub.
RGC commends outstanding research academics in Hong Kong and holds inauguration ceremony of Hong Kong Research Grants Council Research Fellow Alliance (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
RGC commends outstanding research academics in Hong Kong and holds inauguration ceremony of Hong Kong Research Grants Council Research Fellow Alliance
The Research Grants Council (RGC) today (November 3) held an award presentation ceremony to honour 98 academics from the eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities for their distinguished research achievements and significant contributions to the higher education sector.
Selected through a rigorous process by the RGC, the awardees included:
* 9 RGC Senior Research Fellows;
* 11 RGC Research Fellows;
* 10 Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellows;
* 8 Early Career Awardees; and
* 60 RGC Junior Research Fellows (previously known as RGC Postdoctoral Fellows).
The same occasion also marked the inauguration of The Hong Kong Research Grants Council Research Fellow Alliance (HKRFA), to promote greater impact of Hong Kong researchers and further advance research excellence.
Officiating at the ceremony, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said that Hong Kong is the ideal place to pursue research careers and aspirations. In addition to accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town, the Chief Executive has announced in the 2025 Policy Address an increase in the over-enrolment ceiling of UGC-funded research postgraduate programmes from 100 per cent to 120 per cent in the 2026/27 academic year. Dr Choi also welcomed the RGC’s first Research Summit in December and the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education Conference and Exhibition next year. The two major international events hosted by Hong Kong will create synergies for Hong Kong’s research community and higher education sector.
“The Government will continue its efforts to promote the ‘Study in Hong Kong’ brand, and fully support the local universities to host more international events and attract more world-class scholars and students from around the world to our city to pursue their study and research. In doing so, we are determined to build Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent and strengthen the city’s research capabilities,” Dr Choi added.
Also officiating at the ceremony, the RGC Chairman, Professor Timothy W. Tong, congratulated the awardees for their distinguished accomplishments and celebrated the establishment of the HKRFA. He indicated that the RGC’s different fellowships have been established to support scholars and researchers at every stage of their academic trajectory.
“Cultivating a pipeline of emerging research talent is essential for a robust research culture and vigorous academic environment in Hong Kong. They are key to sustaining long-term advances in Hong Kong’s research and development ecosystem. The RGC seeks to furnish the local research community with strong support, enabling them to sustain and elevate their outstanding scholarly endeavours,” he said.
The list of awardees is in the Annex. Relevant award citations are available on the RGC website (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/events/Issued at HKT 20:53
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12 more nomination forms for Legislative Council General Election received today
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
12 more nomination forms for Legislative Council General Election received today
Geographical constituency The number of nomination forms received for each functional constituency is as follows:
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