Latest news with #RonaldLam
RTHK
2 days ago
- Health
- RTHK
'Chikungunya fever expected to reach a peak this year'
'Chikungunya fever expected to reach a peak this year' Director of Health Ronald Lam says there is a possibility that chikungunya fever could spread locally. File photo: RTHK Director of Health Ronald Lam on Sunday said this year is expected to be a peak for chikungunya fever, warning that Hong Kong may see local transmissions if infections continue to emerge in surrounding areas. Lam said local transmissions could also occur if mosquito control measures are not well implemented, but he believes the city has sufficient testing capabilities to deal with a potential local outbreak. He noted that public hospitals are introducing tests for the chikungunya virus, and that the Government Laboratory can test more than 100 samples per day. His remarks came as Hong Kong recorded its fifth imported case of chikungunya fever this year. 'From the perspective of a global epidemic, there are outbreaks of chikungunya fever at regular intervals,' Lam said on a TVB programme. 'For example, an outbreak occurred from 2004 to 2005 which caused over 500,000 infections globally. The World Health Organization has predicted that this year will be another peak for the disease.' Lam said the chikungunya virus has yet to be found among local mosquitoes as of last month, but authorities are not letting their guard down in its disease-prevention work. He also warned that chikungunya can spread faster than Dengue fever, another mosquito-borne disease. 'It has a much shorter incubation period in mosquitoes. This means the virus duplicates faster among mosquitoes and is likely to infect more people,' he said. On identifying imported cases, Lam said health officials may not always be able to detect such cases at border checkpoints as the disease's incubation period could be as long as 12 days. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance education for inbound travellers so that they will continue to monitor for any symptoms after entering Hong Kong, he added.
RTHK
2 days ago
- Health
- RTHK
'Chikungunya fever expected to reach a peak this year'
'Chikungunya fever expected to reach a peak this year' Director of Health Ronald Lam says there is a possibility that chikungunya fever could spread locally. File photo: RTHK Director of Health Ronald Lam on Sunday said this year is expected to be a peak for chikungunya fever, warning that Hong Kong may see local transmissions if infections continue to emerge in surrounding areas. Lam said local transmissions could also occur if mosquito control measures are not well implemented, but he believes the city has sufficient testing capabilities to deal with a potential local outbreak. He noted that public hospitals are introducing tests for the chikungunya virus, and that the Government Laboratory can test more than 100 samples per day. His remarks came as Hong Kong recorded its fifth imported case of chikungunya fever this year. 'From the perspective of a global epidemic, there are outbreaks of chikungunya fever at regular intervals,' Lam said on a TVB programme. 'For example, an outbreak occurred from 2004 to 2005 which caused over 500,000 infections globally. The World Health Organization has predicted that this year will be another peak for the disease.' Lam said the chikungunya virus has yet to be found among local mosquitoes as of last month, but authorities are not letting their guard down in its disease-prevention work. He also warned that chikungunya can spread faster than Dengue fever, another mosquito-borne disease. 'It has a much shorter incubation period in mosquitoes. This means the virus duplicates faster among mosquitoes and is likely to infect more people,' he said. On identifying imported cases, Lam said health officials may not always be able to detect such cases at border checkpoints as the disease's incubation period could be as long as 12 days. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance education for inbound travellers so that they will continue to monitor for any symptoms after entering Hong Kong, he added.
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Hongkongers warned of elevated chikungunya fever risk as cases rise across Asia
Hong Kong health authorities have warned of a heightened risk of possible chikungunya fever transmissions in the city as more Asian travel destinations popular among residents have also recorded local cases of the mosquito-borne disease. Director of Health Dr Ronald Lam Man-kin on Sunday also highlighted the challenges of preventing the disease from spreading, pointing to its 'significantly' shorter incubation period in mosquitoes, which allowed the virus to replicate more quickly. Lam's warning came after the city recorded five confirmed chikungunya fever cases. Following the city's first imported chikungunya fever case in six years on August 2, four new cases were subsequently confirmed, concerning residents who had also been to Foshan in Guangdong province and Bangladesh. 'Many of Hong Kong's popular travel destinations, especially in Asia, have seen local transmission. We have seen several imported cases over the past week,' Lam told a television programme on Sunday. 'The source of these cases is not limited to mainland China, but also includes other places like Bangladesh.'
RTHK
6 days ago
- Business
- RTHK
Cathay Pacific unveils deal to buy 14 Boeing jets
Cathay Pacific unveils deal to buy 14 Boeing jets The deal was unveiled as the carrier reported a 1 percent increase in first half profit for 2025. File photo: RTHK Cathay Pacific Airways on Wednesday said it plans to buy 14 Boeing 777-9 aircraft and has secured the right to purchase up to seven more. The deal was unveiled as the carrier reported a 1 percent increase in first half profit for 2025. "We plan to expand and renew our fleet with the additional 777-9 aircraft, enabling us to continue our rich history of connecting the world with our Hong Kong hub," said Ronald Lam, Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer. "Cathay Pacific aims to further strengthen our ongoing partnership with Boeing and leverage the world-class features of the new 777-9 as we strive to become the world's best premium airline." With a range of 7,295 nautical miles (13,510 km), the 777-9 will allow Cathay Pacific to connect passengers directly between Hong Kong and its global long-haul destinations, Boeing said in a statement. The purchases will bring Cathay's order book of the world's largest twin-engine aeroplane to 35. The announcement came as the carrier reported a HK$3.7 billion first half profit, a similar level to the same period a year ago, citing higher passenger volumes, lower fuel prices and steady cargo performance. Passenger revenue rose by 14 percent to just over HK$34 billion, with passenger numbers rising to an average of 75,300 per day - almost 28 percent more than in the same period in 2024. Cargo revenue rose by 2.2 percent to HK$11 billion. Fuel costs came in at HK$14.6 billion - up from HK$14.1 billion a year ago - and mainly due to a 19 percent rise in consumption. The company declared an interim dividend of 20 cents per share - the same amount as a year ago. However, Cathay's wholly-owned budget carrier HK Express reported a loss of HK$524 million, affected by temporary changes in customer preferences away from traditionally strong destinations such as Japan due to earthquake rumours, and the launch of new routes that take time to mature. "HK Express continues to face short-term challenges. We have seen a pickup in bookings to Japan, though they are yet to return to normal levels," Cathay chairman Patrick Healy said in a statement.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cathay Pacific Orders 14 More Boeing 777-9 Passenger Jets
- Long-time 777 operator to expand and renew fleet with fuel-efficient 777-9 widebody jets - Order makes Cathay Pacific the largest 777-9 operator in Asia Pacific HONG KONG, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Cathay Pacific today announced the Hong Kong-based carrier is ordering 14 more 777-9 passenger jets, bringing its order book to 35 of the world's largest twin-engine airplane. Designed to reduce fuel use and emissions on average by 20% and noise by 40% compared to the airplanes it replaces, the 777-9 will enable Cathay Pacific to efficiently meet growing air travel demand across key global markets. "We plan to expand and renew our fleet with the additional 777-9 aircraft, enabling us to continue our rich history of connecting the world with our Hong Kong hub," said Ronald Lam, Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer. "Cathay Pacific aims to further strengthen our ongoing partnership with Boeing and leverage the world-class features of the new 777-9 as we strive to become the world's best premium airline." Cathay Pacific has grown its global network with the Boeing 777 family over the past 30 years. The addition of the latest model, the 777-9, will further reduce the airline's operating costs as it modernizes its fleet and expands passenger and cargo operations on long- and ultra long-haul routes. "We are proud to support Cathay Pacific's continued leadership as one of the world's top airlines, and introduce the 777-9 as their future flagship airplane," said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. "This latest order demonstrates the value of the 777-9 and further strengthens the airline's tradition of delivering superb comfort, convenience and connectivity to passengers for years to come." With a range of 7,295 nautical miles (13,510 km), the 777-9 will allow Cathay Pacific to connect passengers directly between Hong Kong and its global long-haul destinations. Customers around the world have ordered more than 550 777X airplanes, sustaining thousands of jobs at Boeing's Everett, Wash., site and across the supply chain. A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity. ContactKevin YooInternational Sales Boeing Media Relationsmedia@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Boeing Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
