Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs combats traders supplying shortweight Chinese New Year products
Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the WMO to the Customs 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 12:45
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CHP reminds public to avoid consuming raw oysters and undercooked bivalve shellfish for the time being to prevent norovirus infection
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
In view of the recent surge in norovirus food poisoning cases linked to the consumption of raw oysters, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 11) reiterated its call for the public to stay alert and maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. The public, especially the elderly, pregnant women, children and those with weakened immune systems, should refrain from consuming raw oysters and undercooked bivalve shellfish as they are at higher risk of developing complications (such as dehydration) if infected with norovirus.
“The number of food poisoning cases recorded over the past few weeks has continued to rise, increasing from an average of one case per week in late December to an average of four cases per week in January. From January 18 to February 10, the CHP recorded 39 food poisoning cases, affecting 44 males and 75 females aged between 15 and 75. Nearly 90 per cent (35 cases) were associated with norovirus, affecting 105 persons. Epidemiological investigations showed that all the individuals affected by the abovementioned food poisoning cases related to norovirus had consumed raw oysters during the incubation period. Six of them required hospitalisation. All are in stable condition. The CHP has notified the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) of all food poisoning cases for appropriate follow-up and source tracing. Investigations are ongoing,” 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 or undercooked oysters are considered a high-risk food. Persons who consume contaminated or undercooked oysters may contract food-borne diseases, such as norovirus, hepatitis A virus or other bacteria. During the Lunar New Year, people usually gather for meals with relatives and friends. I particularly remind the public that only thoroughly cooked food, especially shellfish, should be consumed, whether dining at home or in restaurants, to avoid contracting enteric diseases. Norovirus cannot be killed by alcoholic beverages, lemon juice or wasabi. When cooking oysters in a hot pot or on the grill, ensure that they are thoroughly cooked to effectively minimise the risk of norovirus infection. Given the recent increase in norovirus activity and epidemiological data indicating that most food poisoning cases are related to raw oyster consumption, the CFS of the FEHD is investigating the source of raw oysters. Hence, members of the public should not take the risk of consuming undercooked oysters,” Dr Tsui explained.
“It is worth noting that norovirus is highly contagious. Individuals infected with norovirus through contaminated food can spread the virus to others through person-to-person contact or environment contaminated by vomitus. In addition to causing food poisoning, norovirus is also one of the primary causes of acute gastroenteritis (AGE). According to our surveillance data, the AGE activity level in Hong Kong has been rising since early January. The latest data showed that, as of February 10, a total of 38 AGE outbreaks in institutions and schools were recorded so far this year, involving 294 persons. Laboratory testing indicated that over 75 per cent of the outbreaks were caused by norovirus. Additionally, norovirus activity has increased in other popular travel destinations for Hong Kong citizens, including Japan and Korea. Surveillance data from Korea showed that the norovirus activity has reached its highest level in nearly five years for this time of year. Members of the public should remain vigilant and maintain good personal, environmental and food hygiene when travelling abroad and pay attention to minimise the risk of infection,” Dr Tsui added.
To prevent AGE and norovirus infection, members of the public should perform hand hygiene frequently. Since alcohol is not effective in killing norovirus, alcohol-based handrubs are not a substitute for handwashing with soap and water, especially before handling food or eating, and after using the toilet. Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel or hand dryer.
Members of the public may visit the CHP’s dedicated webpages for the prevention of Norovirus Infection and Viral Gastroenteritis.
Import of poultry meat and products from Guldborgsund Municipality in Denmark suspended
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (February 11) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Guldborgsund Municipality in Denmark, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 450 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 210 000 poultry eggs from Denmark last year.
“The CFS has contacted the Danish authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.
Three more trial projects on hydrogen fuel technology given agreement-in-principle by Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Three more trial projects on hydrogen fuel technology given agreement-in-principle by Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel
The relevant projects involve:
(a) an application submitted by Guangdong Yiyun Logistics Supply Chain Company Limited for launching a trial operation of five hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) cold chain goods vehicles for cross-boundary transport;
To date, the Working Group has given agreement-in-principle in stages to a total of 35 applications for hydrogen energy trial projects. The Working Group will continue to make reference to the operational data and experience collected from all local trials, in order to provide advice for the continuous enhancement of the safety and technical guidelines on the local application of hydrogen energy.
The spokesman said, “The Working Group also discussed in the meeting facilitative measures to remove barriers and ease restrictions to streamline approval procedures, drawing on industry feedback and experiences in processing trial projects, with an aim to enable more trial projects to proceed smoothly and timely.”
The Working Group will continue to regularly review the progress of the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong and provide recommendations to facilitate the implementation of its various measures. The Working Group is formed by the EEB, the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Development Bureau, the Security Bureau, the Environmental Protection Department, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, the Fire Services Department, the Transport Department, the Marine Department, the Planning Department, the Lands Department, the Buildings Department, the Architectural Services Department and the Labour Department.
Issued at HKT 18:26
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Government and 29 large corporates jointly launch new round of HYAB Scheme on Corporate Summer Internship on the Mainland and Overseas
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Government and 29 large corporates jointly launch new round of HYAB Scheme on Corporate Summer Internship on the Mainland and Overseas
In the 2025 Policy Address, the Chief Executive emphasised that the Government would sustain its efforts in promoting youth development on all fronts. This includes continuing to implement various exchange and internship programmes on the Mainland and overseas to help young people broaden international horizons and cultivate a holistic outlook. In this regard, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau forged partnerships with large corporates to launch the HYAB Scheme on Corporate Summer Internship on the Mainland and Overseas for Hong Kong youth to intern at the Mainland and overseas operations of these corporates. The Scheme will help young people learn and experience first-hand the national development and international trends, and at the same time provide them with exposure to the work culture in large corporates and the opportunity to establish interpersonal networks outside Hong Kong, enabling them to accumulate invaluable work experience and lay a foundation for future career development.
The number of companies participating in the new round of the Scheme has increased to 29. Internship placements are offered in multiple Chinese Mainland provinces and cities, including various Mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing and Hangzhou, as well as overseas countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Australia. The internship placements also cover a wider range of industries than before, such as financial services, innovation and technology, pharmaceutical, logistics, property development, construction, retail, hospitality and utilities (please refer to Annex for details of the internship placements). Applicants must be aged 18 or above and should be (i) a full time post-secondary student (including sub-degree, undergraduate, or postgraduate) holding a Hong Kong permanent identity card; or (ii) a local full-time post-secondary student (including sub-degree, undergraduate, or postgraduate) holding a Hong Kong identity card. The internship will take place between June and September this year. Participating companies will sponsor the interns for major expenses including transportation and accommodation costs, and assign dedicated personnel to provide training and support to the interns.
Details of the Scheme are available on the dedicated webpage (www.ydc.gov.hk/scsi/enIssued at HKT 17:55
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Candidate Eligibility Review Committee announces 25 registrations of ex-officio members of Election Committee as valid
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Candidate Eligibility Review Committee announces 25 registrations of ex-officio members of Election Committee as valid
In accordance with section 5J of the Schedule to the Chief Executive Election Ordinance (Cap. 569), a person holding a specified office under Part 2A of the Schedule may register as an ex-officio member of the EC.
The Registration and Electoral Office has received 25 registrations of ex-officio members. After review, the CERC has determined that those registrations are valid. The subsectors and specified offices involved are listed below:
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NNNN FEHD releases second batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in FebruarySource: Hong Kong Government special administrative region FEHD releases second batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in February
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