Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CHP reminds public not to consume raw oysters and observe food safety as two more food poisoning clusters reported
New food poisoning clusters
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The clusters involve five males and three females aged between 28 and 29. They developed diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever about 25 to 75 hours after having dinner at Clipper Lounge, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 5 Connaught Road Central, Central, on January 31 and February 2 respectively.
Four of the affected persons sought medical advice but did not require hospitalisation. All of the affected individuals are currently in stable condition.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the food items that the affected individuals had in common include raw oyster, salmon sashimi, crab leg and brown crab at the aforementioned restaurant. Officers of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (including personnel of the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) and the Environmental Hygiene Branch) conducted an investigation and examined the handling processes and food hygiene at the restaurant on February 6 and collected food and environmental samples for testing. The CFS’s field investigation revealed that the affected persons may have contracted food poisoning from consuming raw food. The CFS immediately instructed the premises concerned to suspend serving the incriminated food items and to carry out cleaning and disinfection of the premises. The officers have also provided health education related to food safety and environmental hygiene to the staff of the premises. All of the newly reported cases consumed raw food concerned before preventive and control measures instituted by the CFS.
The investigation of the CHP and the CFS is ongoing.
Recent surge in norovirus-related food poisoning cases
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“Food poisoning cases have continuously increased over the past few weeks, rising from one case a week on average in late December last year to four cases a week on average in January. A total of 30 cases have been recorded since February. Between January 18 and February 9, the CHP has recorded 37 food poisoning cases, affecting 115 persons. Among which, 33 cases (89 per cent) were related to norovirus, affecting 101 persons. Epidemiological investigation showed that all the affected persons of the food poisoning cases related to norovirus had consumed raw oysters during the incubation period. Among the affected persons, five persons were hospitalised for treatment. All are in stable condition. The CHP has notified the CFS on all the food poisoning cases for follow up,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
“As oysters feed by filtering a large volume of seawater, pathogens can accumulate in them if they are grown in or harvested from contaminated water. Raw and partially cooked oysters are considered a high-risk food. Persons who consume undercooked or contaminated oysters may contract food-borne diseases such as norovirus, hepatitis A virus or other bacteria. In view of the drastic increase in food poisoning cases related to consumption of raw oysters recently, members of the public, especially pregnant women, young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems or liver diseases, shall stay vigilant and avoid consumption of raw oysters or partially cooked bivalve shellfish to prevent infection,” Dr Tsui explained.
“In addition to food poisoning, norovirus can also cause acute gastroenteritis (AGE). According to the CHP’s surveillance data, the AGE activity level has continued to increase since early January, including AGE outbreaks in institutions and schools. Laboratory testing indicated that over 60 per cent of the outbreaks were caused by norovirus. In addition, there have been increases in the norovirus activity in other popular travel destinations for Hong Kong citizens, including Japan and Korea. Members of the public should remain vigilant and maintain personal, environmental and food hygiene at all times to minimise the risk of being infected while travelling,” Dr Tsui added.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
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Stable Mainland food supply ensured
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan met a Mainland delegation who visited Hong Kong today to ensure residents have a sufficient supply of food from the Mainland during the Lunar New Year.
Deputy Director General of the Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce Li Na led the delegation, with members including representatives from the General Administration of Customs, the Communist Party of China Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office and Guangdong Province’s Department of Commerce.
Mr Tse noted that the relevant Mainland authorities have strengthened the sources of supply and enhanced contingency plans to ensure the stability and safety of the food supply, fully demonstrating the central authorities’ care and support for Hong Kong.
He also shared with the delegation on how the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government rolls out various new food-related initiatives to align proactively with the National 15th Five-Year Plan.
The delegation visited the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse in the morning to observe the transportation, auction and slaughtering of live pigs supplied to Hong Kong.
In the afteroon, the delegation visited Wan Chai Market and the Western Wholesale Food Market to observe the distribution and sale of fresh food.
‘Judgment illustrates rule of law’
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung said the court’s judgment in the Lai Chee-ying case illustrates that the rule of law in Hong Kong is robust, criminal acts will never be tolerated and no one is above the law.
The court today sentenced Lai Chee-ying to 20 years’ imprisonment, given the grave nature of the case.
Mr Tang told a media session this afternoon that the heavy sentence clearly reflects the very serious nature of the offences committed by Lai Chee-ying.
“The court pointed out that Lai Chee-ying was the mastermind and driving force in the case. He has colluded with foreign forces to beg for sanctions against his country. The court has emphasised that Lai had harboured his resentment and hatred of China for years. His only intent was to seek the downfall of the Chinese Communist Party and even though the ultimate cost would be the sacrifice of the people of China and that of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.”
The court held that the offence of “conspiracy to print, publish, sell, offer for sale, distribute, display and/or reproduce seditious publications” in this case fell within the most serious category of its type, and the two offences of “conspiracy to commit collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security” fell within the category of offences of a grave nature.
In the reasons for the sentence, the court pointed out these offences took place at a time when Hong Kong had hardly recovered from the social turmoil caused by the black-clad violence. The conspiracies were meticulously planned, involved multiple parties and were clearly premeditated.
Even after the enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the defendants continued with their crimes for some time until after they were arrested by the police.
Mr Tang added: “The heavy sentence clearly reflects the very serious nature of the offence committed by Lai Chee-ying. The court’s judgment illustrates that the rule of law in Hong Kong is robust, criminal acts will never be tolerated and no one is above the law.”
He emphasised that both the reasons for the verdict and the sentence handed down fully demonstrate that the court has arrived at the judgment in strict accordance with the law and the evidence, not with any underlying matters of political, policies or other non-legal considerations.
In addition, the Lai Chee-ying case has nothing to do with freedom of the press.
The security chief noted that although Lai Chee-ying and other defendants will face legal sanctions they deserve, Hong Kong is still facing national security risks. The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to unwaveringly and fearlessly prevent, suppress and punish acts and activities that endanger national security in accordance with the law.
AFCD reminds public not to bring endangered species into Hong Kong or purchase them online illegally
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
AFCD reminds public not to bring endangered species into Hong Kong or purchase them online illegally
A spokesman for the AFCD said, “Some plant and animal species are facing the threat of extinction due to over-exploitation, and the import and export of such species are regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) is the local legislation that gives effect to CITES in Hong Kong. Under the Ordinance, the import, export, re-export or possession of endangered animals and plants, including their parts and derivatives, is subject to control under a licensing system.”
Any person who contravenes the Ordinance, even for non-commercial purposes, commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction, and the specimens will also be forfeited. More than 500 related seizures were made in 2025. The specimens seized included orchids (including artificially propagated species such as moth orchid), American ginseng, dried seahorses, gastrodia, dendrobium and shark fins of scheduled shark species.
“As the Chinese New Year approaches, there have been a number of recent cases in which members of the public were intercepted by Hong Kong Customs for bringing orchids into Hong Kong from the Chinese Mainland. Members of the public should pay attention to whether the plant and animal products they intend to buy from places outside Hong Kong (including those purchased online) are endangered species. It might not be easy to identify whether the wildlife products originate from endangered species. Therefore, members of the public are advised not to buy such items if they cannot ascertain whether the items are subject to control,” the spokesman continued.
The Government is committed to the protection of endangered species. The AFCD and Hong Kong Customs will continue to work closely together and step up their enforcement in combating the illegal trade in endangered species. For information on endangered species, please call 1823 or visit www.cites.hkIssued at HKT 11:20
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Hong Kong Customs, Immigration Department and Hong Kong Police Force conduct joint enforcement action during mega event
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs, Immigration Department and Hong Kong Police Force conduct joint enforcement action during mega event
During the operation, the enforcement officers conducted test-buy operations and suspected that five mobile hawkers were visitors taking up employment or establishing or joining in business in Hong Kong. The five mobile hawkers were subsequently arrested by immigration officers on suspicion of being illegal workers. The arrested illegal workers were five women, aged 20 to 40.
Customs, the ImmD and the Police will continue to step up high-profile patrol and enforcement to resolutely combat different kinds of illegal activities in the vicinity of the event venues during mega events.
Customs reminds consumers to purchase goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Traders should be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions. Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any infringing goods commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four years. Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 22:00
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AMS sets new Guinness World Record with bandages by thousand people
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
AMS sets new Guinness World Record with bandages by thousand people
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner of the AMS, Dr Ronald Lam, said that not only does the record symbolise the 75-year history and development of the AMS, but it also showcases the professionalism and service spirit of the AMS in providing first aid services.
The Commissioner’s Commendation Ceremony was also held on the same day to recognise the outstanding performance of AMS members in providing first-aid and nursing care services to 2 600 casualties in the “Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2026”. Among them, 25 members were commended for demonstrating a high degree of professionalism, swift response and teamwork in saving three runners who had suffered cardiac arrest.
Since its establishment in 1950, the AMS has been actively participating in rescue operations, providing medical support at major public events and undertaking public health, dedicating itself to protecting the safety and health of the public.
Issued at HKT 19:00
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Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illegally imported live birds
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illegally imported live birds (with photo)
Customs officers today intercepted an incoming 26-year-old female passenger at the arrival hall of the said control point. Upon examination, 112 live birds contained in bird cages were seized from the trolley she carried, and she was subsequently arrested.
The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.
Under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulations, it is an offence to import any bird unless it is accompanied by a valid health certificate. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $25,000.
Members of the public may report any suspected activities of illegal import of live birds to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 20:52
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Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth $2.2 million
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth $2.2 million
In the first case, a 36-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 5kg of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market value of about $1 million from her check-in suitcase. The woman was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Tsuen Wan yesterday afternoon, Customs intercepted a man and a woman, aged 44 and 38. Customs officers later escorted them to nearby industrial premises for a search and seized about 5kg of suspected cannabis buds, about 2kg of suspected cannabis resin, about 1kg of suspected cannabis-infused gummy candies, about 4kg of suspected cannabis-infused chocolate, 65 suspected cannabis oil products, 32 g of suspected methamphetamine, and a batch of suspected drug packaging paraphernalia. They were then arrested. The estimated market value of the drug seizures was about $1.2 million.
After investigation, the arrested woman in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and the case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on February 9. Investigation of the second case is ongoing.
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 20:13
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Kick-off ceremony of “Creating Health Values of Chinese Medicine” Event Series and first promotional event held today
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Kick-off ceremony of “Creating Health Values of Chinese Medicine” Event Series and first promotional event held today
The ceremony was officiated by Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Mr C Y Leung. The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau; the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; and the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of CMHHK Operator, Mr Wong Kwai-huen, also attended.
Mr Leung expressed the hope that CMHHK and the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) would leverage Hong Kong’s unique role to promote the inheritance, innovation and development of CM and facilitate further exchanges between CM and other traditional medicines abroad.
Professor Lo said, “This event demonstrates our commitment to advancing the CM cultural inheritance as set out in the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint. Built on cross-institutional and cross-sectoral collaboration, the event aims to facilitate citizens’ in-depth understanding of the advantages of CM services and disseminate knowledge on the appropriate selection of CM for disease prevention and treatment to improve personal health. The event also showcases the mission of CMHHK and the GCMTI, as the CM flagship projects in Hong Kong, in creating health values.
“CMHHK and the GCMTI will further deepen efforts to enhance the values of CM. In collaboration with the industry and relevant stakeholders, they will promote CM culture and knowledge, the adoption of CM approaches in daily living, and the use of CM services to members of the public through diverse activities, with a view to strengthening public confidence in and recognition of CM.”
Following the kick-off ceremony, a number of representatives from the CM sector and schools participated in the keynote sessions and panel discussion under the theme of “Inception of Chinese Medicine Flagship Projects in Hong Kong and Inheritance of Lingnan Chinese Medicine”.
Issued at HKT 19:00
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Immigration Department arrested 14 persons during operations targeting foreign domestic helpers who breached conditions of stay
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed “Swordfish” for five consecutive days from February 5 to 9, targeting foreign domestic helpers who breached their conditions of stay. A total of 14 persons, including seven suspected illegal workers and seven suspected employers, were arrested.
During the operations, ImmD investigators raided 22 target locations, including restaurants, retail shops, beauty centres, hair salons, fitness centres, guesthouses, commercial buildings and residential building units. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised seven women, aged 22 to 55. Among them, five persons were current helpers, one person was an overstaying ex-helper, and one person was a holder of recognizance form, which prohibits her from taking any employment in Hong Kong. The suspected illegal workers were performing as salon assistants or sales or taking up cleaning duties and household work at places other than their contractual address. Meanwhile, seven suspected employers, comprising two men and five women aged 39 to 69, were owners or persons-in-charge of the companies and restaurants involved. A copy of a forged Hong Kong identity card was also found during the operation. Relevant cases are still under investigation, and the ImmD does not rule out the possibility of further arrests.