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Centre for Health Protection

The latest news and top stories on the Centre for Health Protection. A prominent Hong Kong-based governmental agency, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) is dedicated to the effective prevention and control of diseases. Established in 2004 following the SARS outbreak, it operates under the Department of Health. Its main areas of focus include communicable disease surveillance, emergency response, infection control, public health laboratory services and health promotion. The CHP is recognised for its pivotal role in strengthening Hong Kong’s public health system and its commitment to safeguarding community health.

People smoke traditional and e-cigarettes in Causeway Bay in January 2025. Smoking is one of the risk factors for nasopharyngeal cancer. Photo: Nora Tam

Medicine

Letters | Why lifestyle medicine belongs in Asia’s nasopharyngeal cancer conversation

Readers discuss a form of cancer endemic to East and Southeast Asia, the impact of the disruption to oil supply on Asian cities, and EU support for Ukraine.

1 May 2026 - 11:30AM

Centre for Health Protection

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Why lifestyle medicine belongs in Asia’s nasopharyngeal cancer conversation

Readers discuss a form of cancer endemic to East and Southeast Asia, the impact of the disruption to oil supply on Asian cities, and EU support for Ukraine.

Hong Kong plans new trial of infecting male mosquitoes to halt offspring growth

Hong Kong airport staff offered free measles jabs in bid to prevent outbreak

First local dengue case could lead to outbreak in coming months: health official

Head of Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection’s communicable disease branch says heat, rainy season will create ‘ideal breeding ground’ for mosquitoes.

Hong Kong health authorities investigate third measles case among airport staff

Centre for Health Protection says 37-year-old man likely to have caught measles at workplace.

Girl, 9, in a critical condition with meningococcal infection after holiday in Japan

Girl, who has an underlying illness, visited Japan in a tour group with her family.

Letters | Hong Kong consumers need not be at sea when it comes to oysters

Readers discuss safety when processing and consuming oysters, the handling of an incident on the MTR’s East Rail line, and school classroom management.

Letters | BMI a starting point, not whole story, of Hong Kong’s weight management plan

Readers discuss the government’s weight management action plan, and the changes to the HK$2 fare concession scheme.

Warning over mould and infections as Hong Kong set for more damp days

Elderly and chronically ill especially at risk, doctor and community activist say, after relative humidity hits 100 per cent in parts of city.

Health authorities probe possible food poisoning cluster at police college

Source confirms ‘institute’ mentioned by health authorities is Hong Kong Police College.

Hong Kong launches 3-year action plan to help residents fight the flab

Proportion of Hongkongers who are obese or overweight has been rising in recent decades.

Share where risky oysters are from, authorities urged after food poisoning cases

Restaurants say demand has plunged amid calls for diners to avoid eating them raw as number of norovirus-related food poisoning cases rises.

Spanish firm joins list of oyster suppliers linked to food poisoning cases

Centre for Food Safety reveals latest results of investigation into dozens of recent food poisoning cases.

Does eating raw oysters put Hongkongers at risk of norovirus?

Following a wave of poisoning cases linked to raw oysters, the SCMP looks into the risks of consuming the bivalve shellfish and how to avoid illness.

21 food poisoning cases linked to 3 firms, Hong Kong probe finds

Health officials are also investigating suspected norovirus food poisoning among diners at the five-star Mandarin Oriental.

8 people fall ill after eating seafood at Hong Kong’s Mandarin Oriental hotel

Health authorities suspect illness tied to raw food and note food poisoning cases have risen sharply in recent weeks.

2 more food poisoning clusters tied to consuming raw oysters in Hong Kong

Five people fall ill after eating the seafood at Chef’s Cuts in Wong Chuk Hang, according to health authorities.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Hong Kong is right to hold the line against US vaccine scepticism

As Hong Kong steps up its fight against viral hepatitis, health authorities are right not to follow a US policy shift on the hepatitis B vaccine.

Hong Kong toddler suspected to have fallen ill from tainted milk formula

Authorities also order 390 cans of Aptamil Profutura milk formula from Germany be taken off shelves.

‘Drastic increase’ in food poisoning cases in Hong Kong linked to raw oysters

Centre for Health Protection has received 20 reports of norovirus-related food poisoning affecting 57 people since January 18.

Editorial | Hong Kong right to remain vigilant against Nipah virus spread

While the virus outbreak has reportedly been contained to the Indian state of West Bengal, precautionary measures and international cooperation are vital.

‘Don’t blindly follow’ US changes to infant vaccines, Hong Kong parents told

Warning comes after US health authorities scaled back routine child vaccine recommendations, leaving key shots to parental choice.

Hongkongers urged to avoid West Bengal in India amid Nipah virus outbreak

Bengali community members expected to delay planned trips to India until situation improves, local leader says.

Flu vaccination rates lag in Hong Kong as winter peak nears, expert warns

Expert David Hui reminds public to get vaccinated ahead of Lunar New Year.

Hong Kong issues third frost warning as cold weather expected over weekend

City recorded temperatures as low as 2 degrees on Friday morning at Ta Kwu Ling in the New Territories, while Tai Lung registered 3.8 degrees.

Hong Kong’s late summer flu season is over. But official says jabs still vital

Controller of Centre for Health Protection says seasonal influenza activity has dropped below baseline level over the past week.

Hongkongers urged to get flu shots as city braces for winter virus wave

Centre for Health Protection’s appeal coincides with infectious disease expert’s concerns over low vaccination rates in the community.

300,000 Hongkongers to be offered free hepatitis B screenings in early 2026

Pilot scheme part of authorities’ efforts to meet World Health Organization goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

Letters | Why lifestyle medicine belongs in Asia’s nasopharyngeal cancer conversation

Editorial | Hong Kong is right to hold the line against US vaccine scepticism