Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 MAY 2025 10:24AM by PIB Delhi

Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry of India, and Mr. Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, engaged in a forward-looking and substantive dialogue to address global trade challenges and reaffirm their shared resolve to conclude the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of 2025. This commitment builds on the strategic direction given by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and President of the European Commission, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen during the landmark visit of the EU College of Commissioners to New Delhi in February 2025.

The high-level engagement underscores the strategic importance both partners attach to building a commercially meaningful, mutually beneficial, balanced, and a fair trade partnership that supports economic resilience and inclusive growth. The meeting highlighted the progress made across multiple negotiating tracks and emphasized the importance of maintaining the ongoing momentum through monthly negotiating rounds and continued virtual engagement. Both sides reiterated their aim to address pending issues in a spirit of mutual respect and pragmatism, including at the next round scheduled to be held from 12-16 May 2025 in New Delhi.

India emphasized that meaningful progress in trade negotiations requires equal focus on non-tariff barriers (NTBs) alongside tariff discussions and regulatory frameworks must be inclusive, proportionate, and avoid restricting trade. 

The India-EU FTA aspires to reflect the evolving realities of global commerce by supporting digital transition, promoting  diversified and resilient supply chains. Both sides expressed optimism that the agreement, once concluded, will serve as a transformative pillar of the broader India-EU strategic partnership, enhancing market access, supporting regulatory cooperation, and fostering innovation and competitiveness on both sides. Both sides acknowledged the crucial role of investment flows and people-to-people mobility in sustaining economic vitality.

In the spirit of India’s emergence as a “Vishwa Mitra”—a partner to the world—and aligning with its 2047 development goals, the India- EU FTA is seen as an instrument to promote diversified production networks and uphold fair trade principles​. As India continues to broaden its footprint through multiple free trade deals, this dialogue reflects its broader vision of shaping a future-ready framework aligned with national priorities and global aspirations.

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Abhishek Dayal/Abhijith Narayanan

(Release ID: 2126025) Visitor Counter : 121

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Chinese Opera Festival (COF), as a core part of the Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2025, will launch the screening programme “Chinese Opera Film Shows” from May to September. The programme will showcase 10 classic Chinese opera films from the 1950s to 1980s, featuring Cantonese opera, Peking opera and Yuediao opera. To resonate with the theme of “Three Kingdoms” of this year’s COF, most selected films are inspired by the stories of “Romance of Three Kingdoms”, with a special focus on the plays related to “Zhou Yu Thrice Humiliated”, “Invoking the East Wind”, “A Meeting of Heroes” and “The Battle at Changbanpo”, making a delightful contrast between the stage performances and film screenings for similar repertories at the festival.

     Details of the Cantonese opera film screenings are as follows:—————————————————————————————–
Date: May 31 (Saturday)
Starring: Sun Ma Si-tsang, Yam Kim-fai, Ng Kwun-lai, Choi Zhen-chu
Synopsis: Zhuge Liang (Hung Ming) is entrusted to persuade Zhou Yu (Chow Yu) to form an alliance against the State of Wei, but Zhou repeatedly schemes to make things difficult for him. Later, after Shu seizes control of Jingzhou, Zhou attempts various stratagems to reclaim the territory, all of which are cleverly thwarted by Zhuge. Coupled with repeated military defeats, Zhou dies of frustration and despair.—————————————————————————————–
Date: June 14 (Saturday)
Starring: Ho Fei-fan, Lam Dan, Leung Sing-por, Mak Bing-wing
Synopsis: General Fan Yuqi of Qin is entrusted to invite Crown Prince Dan of Yan and his consort to Qin as guests. The King of Qin breaks his promise and imprisons them instead. Fan helps the royal couple escape successfully. Infuriated, the King launches an assault on Yan on a false claim. Crown Prince Dan accepts the courtier Tian Guang’s recommendation to send Jing Ke to assassinate the King.—————————————————————————————–
Date: July 12 (Saturday)
Starring: Fong Yim-fun, Yam Kim-fai, Mak Bing-wing, Poon Yat-on
Synopsis: Cao Cao decrees Lady Zhen is to marry Cao Pi. Heartbroken, Cao Zhi loses his creative spirit. Later, Pi ascends the throne. He believes rumours suggesting that Zhi is the father of his child, and forces Lady Zhen to take poison and banishes Zhi to a remote land, forcing the lovers apart forever.—————————————————————————————–
Date: August 30 (Saturday)
Starring: Sun Ma Si-tsang, Tang Bik-wan, Lau Hark-suen, Pak Lung-chu
Synopsis: Dong Zhuo holds sway in the imperial court and renders the young king a mere figurehead, aided by the formidable warrior Lü Bu (Lui Bo). Concerned for the state, the songstress Diao Chan (Diu Sim) and minister Wang Yun devise a honey trap. Wang promises Diao’s hand to Dong and Lü. Diao begs Lü to rescue her by killing Dong. Meanwhile, Diao tearfully reports to Dong that Lü had taken liberties with her, thus turning the partners into enemies.—————————————————————————————–
Date: July 9 (Wednesday)
Starring: Xiao Changhua, Ma Lianliang, Tan Fuying, Ye Shenglan
Synopsis: Zhou Yu and Huang Gai stage a ruse, pretending to defect to Cao Cao’s army and execute a fire attack. Cao is suspicious, and dispatches Jiang Gan to investigate. Jiang mistakenly believes that there is internal strife in Eastern Wu, and convinces Cao that Eastern Wu poses no real threat. In the end, Zhuge Liang successfully invokes the easterly wind, giving the Wu-Shu alliance the upper hand in battle.—————————————————————————————–
Date: July 30 (Wednesday)
Starring: Ma Lianliang, Tan Fuying, Ye Shenglan, Qiu Shengrong, Yuan Shihai, Xiao Changhua 
Synopsis: At Xiakou, Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu come together to resist Cao Cao’s advances. To spy on their coalition, Cao dispatches Jiang Gan to visit Zhou under the guise of friendship. Zhou sees through the ruse and organises a grand feast for civil and military elites. He deliberately let Jiang steal a forged letter of surrender from Cao’s general and escape back to Cao’s camp. The letter leads the suspicious Cao to mistakenly believe that there is treachery within his ranks and to execute several of his own generals.—————————————————————————————–
Date: August 6 (Wednesday)
Starring: Gao Shenglin, Yuan Shihai, Li Shizhang
Synopsis: After Shu’s defeat by Wei, Guan Yu is forced to surrender and imprisoned by Cao Cao. Later, he learns of Liu Bei’s whereabouts, and escapes to reunite with Liu. On hearing that Zhang Fei is stationed at the Old City, Guan rushes there, but Zhang is suspicious of Guan’s intentions. Guan shows his unwavering loyalty by killing Cai Yang of the Cao army who arrives in pursuit. Zhang realises his grave mistake and apologises. The brothers are reunited.—————————————————————————————–
Date: August 27 (Wednesday)
Starring: He Quanzhi, Shen Fengmei, Chen Jing, Mu Baicheng
Synopsis: Zhou Yu is determined to reclaim Jingzhou. His negotiations with Zhuge Liang prove fruitless, triggering a fierce battle in which Zhou suffers a crushing defeat and dies of grief at Baqiu. Zhuge travels to Wu to attend Zhou’s memorial. General Zhang Zhao lays an ambush with the intent of capturing Zhuge. Zhuge points out to Zhang that any strife between the states of Shu and Wu would only benefit Cao Cao. At that moment, Cao is advancing with an army of hundreds of thousands. Zhang quickly apologises to Zhuge, and they begin discussing a joint plan to repel the invasion.—————————————————————————————–
Date: September 3 (Wednesday)
Starring: Mei Lanfang, Jiang Miaoxiang
Synopsis: Cao Pi crowns Lady Zhen as royal consort, but she is drawn to the literary brilliance of his younger brother, Cao Zhi. The two begin a forbidden romance in the face of grave danger. Upon discovering Lady Zhen’s infidelity, Pi executes her in a fit of rage. Years later, Zhi dreams of a divine calling from the Goddess of River Luo, and he goes to the appointed place, astonished to find Lady Zhen waiting for him. She has become the Goddess of River Luo, a celestial being, forever separated from the mortal realm.—————————————————————————————–
Date: September 10 (Wednesday)
Starring: Yuan Shihai, Li Jialin, Yu Dalu 
Synopsis: Liu Bei’s retreat from Xinye is pursued by Cao Cao’s forces through the night at Changbanpo. Liu becomes separated from his troops and family. Zhao Yun charges into the enemy camp alone and rescues the local governors Jian Yong and Mi Zhu. He also fights valiantly to protect Lady Gan and Liu’s infant son, A Dou, leading them safely through the encirclement. 
     The above-mentioned Cantonese opera films will be screened at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum at 7.45pm, and the Peking opera and Yuediao opera films will be screened at the Cinema of the Hong Kong Film Archive at 7.30pm. Tickets priced at $70 per screening are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk 
     The programme will also feature two sessions under the “Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series”, featuring the film of Peking opera “A Meeting of Heroes” (1957), to be held at 11am and 2.30pm on September 8 (Monday) at the Cinema of the Hong Kong Film Archive. Free admission specially for local primary and secondary school students to allow them to have the opportunity to appreciate the traditions and essence of Peking opera through the timeless masterpiece. Interested schools can call 2268 7325 for details. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Attention TV and radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 2) that due to the sighting of a suspected red tide, the red flag has been hoisted at Silver Mine Bay Beach in Islands District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach until further notice.

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 01 MAY 2025 10:56PM by PIB Delhi

A huge gathering of devotees chanted prayers and participated in the final ‘Darshan’ of Sarnath’s Holy Relic of the Buddha that was placed in the secure precincts of the National Museum for one day.

Among the dignitaries who participated in the prayers was Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hai, the Ambassador of Vietnam.

The Sacred Relic of the Buddha was carried out with reverance from the National Museum as a couple of hundred devotees lined the path and thronged at the gates of the Museum.

The cavalcade of vehicles with monks, nuns and delegates attending the Holy Relic exposition in Vietnam and the UN Day of Vesak celebrations reached Hindon air base where a ceremonial send off was held, with full State Honours for an onward journey to Vietnam.

As a special gesture, around 120 monks flew down from Vietnam to pay their obeisance to the holy relic and then returned to their country on the same day, before the Relic arrived in Vietnam , in order to receive the Holy Relic .

The delegation was led by Most Ven. Thic Hue Thong, Vice President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. Most Ven. Dr Thich Nhat Tu, Vice President IBC and the Standing Vice Chancellor, Vietnam Buddhist University also flew down especially for receiving the Holy Relic.

The Ministry of Culture, Government of India in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) New Delhi is organising for the first time the Holy Relic exposition in four cities of Vietnam from the 3- 21 May, 2025.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

(Release ID: 2126028) Visitor Counter : 75

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest figures on retail sales today (May 2).

     The value of total retail sales in March 2025, provisionally estimated at $30.1 billion, decreased by 3.5% compared with the same month in 2024. The revised estimate of the combined value of total retail sales in January and February 2025 decreased by 7.8% compared with the same period a year earlier. For the first quarter of 2025, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total retail sales decreased by 6.5% compared with the same period in 2024.

     Of the total retail sales value in March 2025, online sales accounted for 8.1%. The value of online retail sales in that month, provisionally estimated at $2.4 billion, decreased by 0.5% compared with the same month in 2024. The revised estimate of the combined value of online retail sales in January and February 2025 decreased by 2.4% compared with the same period a year earlier. For the first quarter of 2025, it was provisionally estimated that the value of online retail sales decreased by 1.7% compared with the same period in 2024.

     After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales in March 2025 decreased by 4.8% compared with a year earlier. The revised estimate of the combined volume of total retail sales in January and February 2025 decreased by 9.9% compared with the same period a year earlier. For the first quarter of 2025, the provisional estimate of the total retail sales decreased by 8.3% in volume compared with the same period in 2024.

     Analysed by broad type of retail outlet in descending order of the provisional estimate of the value of sales and comparing March 2025 with March 2024, the value of sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts decreased by 3.9%. This was followed by sales of wearing apparel (-10.8% in value); commodities in department stores (-5.0%); motor vehicles and parts (-46.4%); fuels (-3.9%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-7.7%); Chinese drugs and herbs (-1.0%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (-0.9%); furniture and fixtures (-17.3%); and optical shops (-2.7%).

     On the other hand, the value of sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified increased by 0.6% in March 2025 over a year earlier. This was followed by sales of commodities in supermarkets (+5.2% in value); medicines and cosmetics (+1.2%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+7.8%); and electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (+6.7%).

     Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of the value of total retail sales increased by 3.8% in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the preceding quarter, while the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales increased by 2.2%.

Commentary

     A government spokesman said that the value of total retail sales increased further in March 2025 over the preceding month on a seasonally adjusted comparison, and its year-on-year decline continued to narrow. For the first quarter as a whole, the value of total retail sales resumed an increase over the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted comparison. 

     Looking ahead, the spokesman said the sustained steady growth of the Mainland economy, the Government’s proactive efforts to boost the consumption market through promotion of tourism and mega events, as well as the increase in employment earnings will continue to support the retail sector. However, the increased level of uncertainty in the global economic outlook and the ongoing impact of the change in consumption patterns will pose challenges to the sector. 

Further information

     Table 1 presents the revised figures on value index and value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for February 2025 as well as the provisional figures for March 2025. The provisional figures on the value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet as well as the corresponding year-on-year changes for the first quarter of 2025 are also shown.

     Table 2 presents the revised figures on value of online retail sales for February 2025 as well as the provisional figures for March 2025. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the first quarter of 2025 are also shown.

     Table 3 presents the revised figures on volume index of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for February 2025 as well as the provisional figures for March 2025. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the first quarter of 2025 are also shown.

     Table 4 shows the movements of the value and volume of total retail sales in terms of the year-on-year rate of change for a month compared with the same month in the preceding year based on the original series, and in terms of the rate of change for a three-month period compared with the preceding three-month period based on the seasonally adjusted series.

     The classification of retail establishments follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.

     These retail sales statistics measure the sales receipts in respect of goods sold by local retail establishments and are primarily intended for gauging the short-term business performance of the local retail sector. Data on retail sales are collected from local retail establishments through the Monthly Survey of Retail Sales (MRS). Local retail establishments with and without physical shops are covered in MRS and their sales, both through conventional shops and online channels, are included in the retail sales statistics.

     The retail sales statistics cover consumer spending on goods but not on services (such as those on housing, catering, medical care and health services, transport and communication, financial services, education and entertainment) which account for over 50% of the overall consumer spending. Moreover, they include spending on goods in Hong Kong by visitors but exclude spending outside Hong Kong by Hong Kong residents. Hence they should not be regarded as indicators for measuring overall consumer spending.

     Users interested in the trend of overall consumer spending should refer to the data series of private consumption expenditure (PCE), which is a major component of the Gross Domestic Product published at quarterly intervals. Compiled from a wide range of data sources, PCE covers consumer spending on both goods (including goods purchased from all channels) and services by Hong Kong residents whether locally or abroad. Please refer to the C&SD publication “Gross Domestic Product by Expenditure Component” for more details.

     More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on Monthly Survey of Retail Sales”. Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080003&scode=530).

     Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of C&SD (Tel: 3903 7400; E-mail: mrs@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (May 2) the advance estimates on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the first quarter of 2025.
 
     According to the advance estimates, GDP increased by 3.1% in real terms in the first quarter of 2025 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 2.5% in the fourth quarter of 2024.
 
     Analysed by major GDP component, private consumption expenditure decreased by 1.2% in real terms in the first quarter of 2025 from a year earlier, compared with the decrease of 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2024.
 
     Government consumption expenditure measured in national accounts terms recorded an increase of 1.2% in real terms in the first quarter of 2025 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 2.1% in the fourth quarter of 2024.
 
     Gross domestic fixed capital formation increased by 2.8% in real terms in the first quarter of 2025 over a year earlier, as against the decrease of 0.7% in the fourth quarter of 2024.
 
     Over the same period, total exports of goods measured in national accounts terms recorded an increase of 8.7% in real terms over a year earlier, much faster than the increase of 1.3% in the fourth quarter of 2024. Imports of goods measured in national accounts terms grew by 7.4% in real terms in the first quarter of 2025, compared with the increase of 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2024.
 
     Exports of services rose further by 6.6% in real terms in the first quarter of 2025 over a year earlier, after the increase of 6.5% in the fourth quarter of 2024. Imports of services increased by 6.2% in real terms in the first quarter of 2025, compared with the increase of 8.3% in the fourth quarter of 2024.
 
     On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison basis, GDP increased by 2.0% in real terms in the first quarter of 2025 when compared with the fourth quarter of 2024.
 
Commentary
 
     A Government spokesman said that the Hong Kong economy expanded solidly in the first quarter of 2025. According to the advance estimates, real GDP grew by 3.1% over a year earlier, picking up from the 2.5% growth in the preceding quarter. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, real GDP grew visibly by 2.0%.
 
     Analysed by major expenditure component, total exports of goods posted accelerated growth amid sustained external demand. Exports of services continued to expand, supported by the increase in visitor arrivals and other cross-boundary economic activities. Overall investment expenditure grew in tandem with the economic expansion. However, private consumption expenditure registered a small decline, reflecting the lingering impact of changes in residents’ consumption patterns.
 
     Looking ahead, as global trade tensions escalated abruptly in early April due to the significant increases in import tariffs imposed by the US, the downside risks surrounding the global economy have heightened visibly. The extremely high levels of trade policy uncertainty will dampen international trade flows and investment sentiment, which in turn overshadow the near-term outlook for the Hong Kong economy. Nonetheless, the sustained steady growth of the Mainland economy, together with the Government’s various measures to promote economic growth and expand into more diversified markets, will lend support to various economic activities in Hong Kong.
 
     The revised figures on GDP and more detailed statistics for the first quarter of 2025, as well as the revised GDP forecast for 2025, will be released on May 16, 2025.
 
Further information
 
     The year-on-year percentage changes of GDP and selected major expenditure components in real terms from the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2025 are shown in Table 1.
 
     When more data become available, the C&SD will compile revised figures on GDP. The revised figures on GDP and more detailed statistics for the first quarter of 2025 will be released at the C&SD website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode250.html) and the Gross Domestic Product by Expenditure Component report (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1030001&scode=250) on May 16, 2025.
 
     For enquiries about statistics on GDP by expenditure component, please contact the National Income Branch (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 5077 or email: gdp-e@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 MAY 2025 2:16PM by PIB Delhi

Ms. Anuradha Prasad, former Secretary to the Government of India, Inter State Council Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs, took the Oath of the Office and Secrecy as Member, Union Public Service Commission today. The Oath was administered by Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla (Retd.), the seniormost Member of the Commission.

Ms. Anuradha Prasad did her graduation from the Lady Sriram College for Women and obtained a Masters in History from the University of Delhi. She also has a Masters Degree in Development Administration from the University of Birmingham, U.K.

Ms. Anuradha Prasad belongs to the 1986 batch of the Indian Defence Accounts Service.   She has extensive experience in public policy, public finance, and cooperative federalism. In a career spanning over 37 years, she has worked in Union Ministries of Defence, Finance, Food Processing Industries, Labour & Employment and Home, gaining in-depth experience in policy & programme formulation and implementation. 

As Finance Manager in the Acquisitions Wing of the Ministryof Defence, she handled acquisition of large platforms.In the Ministry of Finance, she handled finance and accounting for the Defence Services and the Ordnance Factory Board.During her stint in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Ms. Anuradha Prasad was instrumental in the development of the food industry through cold chain infrastructure, food testing laboratories and industry-driven R&D. She also has regulatory experience as Member of the Board of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as also the National Council for Vocational Education & Training (NCVET).

As Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Labour & Employment, she contributed to drafting of the Labour Codes and development of e-Shram Portal, a national database of workers in the unorganized sector.As Director General, Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), she spearheaded various initiatives for health & welfare of workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.  

As Secretary, Inter State Council Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs, she handled Centre-State and Inter-State relations and built consensus on many complex and sensitive issues resulting in key policy changes and expediting of infrastructure and other projects.

Post-retirement, Ms. Anuradha Prasad served as Member, Police Complaints Authority, Government of NCT Delhi.

***

NKR/NSK

(Release ID: 2126098) Visitor Counter : 53

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 2) said that one new melioidosis case had been recorded in the past week (April 25 to May 1).

     The case involved a 64-year-old male with underlying illnesses who lives in Sham Shui Po. He developed dysuria on March 10. He attended Kwong Wah Hospital on April 14, and was admitted for treatment on the same day. His clinical sample was confirmed to be positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei upon testing.

     The CHP is investigating the infection source of the case. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing.
 
     So far, four melioidosis cases have been recorded in Hong Kong this year. In 2024, 23 melioidosis cases were recorded.

     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.
 
According to literature, melioidosis cases are more common after typhoons or rainstorms. The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei in soil and muddy water may become exposed to 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.

     With this in mind, where practicable, members of the public should stay indoors during typhoons and rainstorms, 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 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.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region