The Department of Health (DH) today (December 3), together with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, participated in a large-scale annual table-top exercise, Exercise Crystal, organised by the Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) of the World Health Organization (WHO). The exercise aims to enhance emergency response mechanisms and cross-sectoral collaboration capabilities between Hong Kong, China and neighbouring regions to jointly tackle public health emergencies.

     This year, the exercise simulated a scenario on human outbreaks of a novel influenza A infection related to dairy farms, with sustained human-to-human transmissions and further spread to many countries. More than 30 countries and areas in the WPRO region participated in the exercise. During the exercise, the WHO provided information on the scenario to the representatives of the participating countries and areas via videoconferencing and email. Representatives from the DH and other government departments thoroughly discussed the scenario, including the immediate responses, prevention and control measures, and the relevant co-ordination required in Hong Kong, rapidly adjusting the planning according to the evolving scenario. The exercise host of the WPRO concluded the exercise with a debriefing to review the exercise's achievements and explore with participants how to further enhance cross-regional emergency response and collaboration mechanisms.

     "Emerging infectious diseases have long posed significant public health threats worldwide. With frequent international population mobility today, emerging respiratory viruses can spread across regions in a short period of time through contact with patients’ secretions or droplets, potentially causing a global pandemic. As a major international transportation hub, Hong Kong faces a significant risk of importation of emerging respiratory infectious diseases. The exercise provided us with a valuable opportunity to strengthen communication and information sharing mechanisms between Hong Kong, China and the WHO WPRO, as well as national focal points of various countries. It also further enhances the cross-departmental collaboration mechanism against emerging respiratory diseases. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) will consolidate the experience gained from this exercise, to opportunely review existing mechanisms in a timely manner, and make more forward-looking arrangements to comprehensively safeguard public health,” the Head of the Communicable Disease Branch, the CHP of the DH, Dr Albert Au, said.

     Since 2008, the WPRO has conducted the Exercise Crystal annually to help member countries and regions prevent and respond to cross-regional public health risks affecting population worldwide. Meanwhile, the WPRO maintains close communication with focal points responsible for enforcing the International Health Regulations to ensure that the regions are familiar with the response mechanism to public health emergencies. Being one of the focal points between Hong Kong, China and the WHO, the CHP has actively participated in the exercise for years.

Ends/Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Issued at HKT 17:00

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