DH conducts interdepartmental exercise to enhance Government's response capabilities on prevention and control of Ebola disease (with photos/video)
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The exercise consisted of two parts. The first part took place at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), simulating a scenario in which a person who had visited an Ebola disease-affected region arrived in Hong Kong by air and exhibited symptoms such as fever and vomiting at the airport after landing. Upon detection by staff from the CHP's Port Health Division at the airport, relevant units were immediately co-ordinated to implement corresponding measures in accordance with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's Preparedness and Response Plan for Ebola Virus Disease. These included medical assessment, infection control, environmental disinfection, epidemiological investigation, and prompt transfer of the suspected Ebola patient to the Hospital Authority (HA)'s Infectious Disease Centre at Princess Margaret Hospital for isolation and treatment.
The second part of the exercise was held at Princess Margaret Hospital. The scenario simulated the HA's Infectious Disease Centre receiving and isolating the suspected Ebola patient transferred from HKIA. It tested the relevant workflows and procedures for infection control, intensive care and arranging emergency viral laboratory testing.
Approximately 80 representatives from relevant departments and organisations participated in the exercise held by the DH today, including the Fire Services Department, the Airport Authority and the HA.
"The current Ebola outbreak is mainly concentrated in certain African areas including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. The immediate impact on public health in Hong Kong remains low. So far, no confirmed cases of Ebola disease have ever been recorded in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, the HKSAR Government remains vigilant and has implemented a comprehensive set of prevention and control measures as well as a contingency deployment. This interdepartmental exercise, 'Charoite', is the second large-scale interdepartmental exercise organised by the DH specifically for Ebola disease, a highly pathogenic infectious disease, following the one held last November. The objective is to rigorously test the practical operations of all stakeholders at every critical stage of handling suspected Ebola cases under realistic scenarios, ensuring seamless co-ordination and efficient collaboration while identifying areas for improvement at an early stage to minimise the risk of local transmission. Through regular public health exercises and training for healthcare professionals, the DH will continue to refine the prevention and control mechanisms as well as preparedness and response plans, in order to strengthen the public health defence and make every effort to safeguard the health of the public," the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, said.
He added that the DH has also comprehensively strengthened its prevention and educational efforts for infection control. Since May, the DH has provided training to over 60 staff members from various government departments and organisations, guiding them on the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), relevant procedures and protection principles. In addition, forums on Ebola disease have been organised for healthcare workers in both the public and private sectors, with more than 1 500 participants. Last week, the Scientific Committee on Infection Control under the CHP also convened a meeting to confirm the recommendations on the proper use of PPE across different healthcare and community settings.
Dr Lam emphasised that the DH will continue to implement a series of prevention and control measures to strictly guard against imported cases, closely monitor the development of the Ebola disease outbreak, and adjust the prevention and control strategies as necessary in response to the situation. At the same time, the DH will actively dovetail with the National 15th Five-Year Plan to improve the public health system, enhance the prevention and control of major communicable diseases, and optimise surveillance, early warning and emergency response mechanisms, with a view to further strengthening Hong Kong's overall public health preparedness and response capacity.
The DH has previously conducted a total of 33 similar exercises and drills, simulating scenarios involving various infectious diseases, such as measles, plague, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and human infections with avian influenza, to continuously strengthen the disease prevention awareness of the community and healthcare workers and prepare for possible epidemics.
Ebola disease is caused by infection with Orthoebolavirus which belongs to the family Filoviridae. The virus is transmitted to humans through close contact with blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of infected animals. Human-to-human transmission can result from direct contact (through wound or mucous membranes) with blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of infected persons, and indirect contact with the environment contaminated with such body fluids. According to information from the World Health Organization (WHO), the case fatality rates from past Ebola outbreaks ranged between 25 per cent and 90 per cent, with an average of around 50 per cent.
The WHO announced on May 17 this year that an Ebola disease outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus had occurred in the DRC and Uganda in Africa, which constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. On the same day, the HKSAR Government activated the Alert Response Level, the lowest under the three-tiered response in the Response Plan, to safeguard public health. Based on public health considerations, the HKSAR Government also issued a Red Outbound Travel Alert for the DRC on May 21 and urged Hong Kong residents to avoid non-essential travel there.
Members of the public wishing to learn more about the Ebola disease and related travel health advice may visit the CHP website or the Travel Health Service website.
Ends/Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:15
Issued at HKT 18:15
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Exercise "Charoite" enhances Government's response capbilities to Ebola disease