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

Elderly Hongkongers and people with chronic illnesses should protect themselves from health problems arising from high humidity by using dehumidifiers and removing mould, a doctor and a community advocate have said, as damp conditions are expected to persist until the end of the week.They said the public should be better informed about the health risks posed by the damp weather, cautioning that high moisture encouraged mould that could cause breathing difficulties in asthmatics, while humid and hot conditions could also trigger skin conditions and fungal infections.As winter gives way to spring, the Observatory said a humid airstream would affect the eastern coast of mainland China’s Guangdong province over the coming days, making the weather more humid in the morning and late at night.In the week from Thursday onwards, relative humidity will range between 65 per cent and 95 per cent, according to the forecaster.Some parts of Hong Kong saw relative humidity levels hit 100 per cent in the early hours on Wednesday, including at Kau Sai Chau off the coast of Sai Kung.More urban parts of the city, including Kowloon City and Wong Chuk Hang, also saw relative humidity levels creep up to 98 per cent in the early hours on Wednesday.