ExplainerHere’s how Hong Kong hikers can protect themselves from insect bites, heatstroke after worker dies
Lam Kin-wai, 46, was working in Tai Mo Shan Country Park in Tai Po when he suddenly collapsed
Lam Kin-wai, 46, was also said to have shown signs of heatstroke at the time while working at the Tai Mo Shan Country Park in Tai Po under a “very hot weather warning”. The temperature was 34 degrees Celsius (93 Fahrenheit).
The Post unpacks the incident and looks at how hikers can protect themselves from possible dangers.
1. Countryside vs city
Dr Axel Siu Yuet-chung, former president of the Hong Kong College of Emergency Medicine, said that while there was no difference between encountering sudden medical conditions such as asthma and heart attacks in the countryside and the city, environmental factors could play a role.
“For example, people who cannot release excess heat from their bodies when surrounding temperatures are very high will be at risk of heatstroke,” Siu said. “An acute heatstroke can be life-threatening.”
He pointed out that an allergic reaction to insects or plants could also be fatal.
“A person’s immune system will normally be able to detect external substances and go through a process to fight or remove them. But more sensitive immune systems may react violently, which can cause shocks and put lives at risk,” Siu said.