The Tuberculosis and Chest Service (TB&CS) of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (August 29) the number of tuberculosis (TB) cases involving students in the first half of 2025. Although reporting that the number of TB cases continued to decline, the CHP urged the public, especially schools, students and parents, to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent TB infections.

     From January to June 2025, the CHP received 1 464 notifications of TB cases (a provisional figure), representing a decrease of 151 cases (nearly 10 per cent) compared to the same period last year. This downward trend has been observed over the past few decades.
 
     Among the reported cases during this period, 21 cases involved students aged from 12 to 26, accounting for 1.43 per cent of all reported TB cases. Compared to the rate of TB diseases among students (1.73 per cent) in the same period last year, the case rate in the first half of 2025 continued to decline. No TB cluster cases involving a school setting were identified during this period.
     
     The above information has been uploaded to the TB&CS statistics webpage.

     "Early identification of TB cases and the timely initiation of anti-TB treatment remain the mainstay of TB control. With the ongoing publicity and education efforts of the DH, as well as increased public awareness of hygiene, the notification and death rates of TB in Hong Kong have shown a significant and sustained decline over the past few decades. However, TB remains prevalent in the community. The DH continues to promote awareness of TB and its prevention in schools, the community and the healthcare sector, aiming to identify and diagnose cases early to effectively control the disease at its source," the Consultant of Public Health Services Branch of the DH, Dr Tai Lai-bun, said.

     Dr Tai explained that TB is an airborne disease. When a TB patient coughs or sneezes, small droplets containing the tubercle bacilli are generated and spread in the air. If another person breathes in these small airborne droplets, he or she may be infected with the germ. Prolonged exposure, however, is usually the most important condition for the disease to be effectively transmitted.

     The TB&CS also conducts contact investigations for the close contacts of an index case and provides guidelines on TB prevention and management for schools. For more information, please refer to the guidelines available at www.info.gov.hk/tb_chest/en/contents/Guidelines_School.htm.

     Members of the public should remain vigilant against TB and adopt a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, avoid smoking and alcohol, get adequate exercise and adequate rest. Those experiencing symptoms such as a persistent cough, blood in sputum, weight loss, fever and night sweating should seek medical advice promptly. Individuals diagnosed with TB should strengthen respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette while receiving TB treatment under medical supervision.
 
     Given that the TB rate among students has remained at a low level in recent years, the CHP will adjust its risk communication strategy and will issue related press releases based on the actual situation and needs in the future. As for statistics related to TB in schools, the CHP will continue to upload them to the website of the TB&CS every six months. For more TB-related information, services and figures, the public may also call the telephone hotline (2572 6024).

Ends/Friday, August 29, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:30

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