Chikungunya Fever Outbreak in Guangdong Raises Concerns for Hong Kong Health Authorities.

CHP urges public to be vigilant against mosquito-borne disease, Chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 16) said that there was an outbreak of Chikungunya fever (CF) in Shunde, Guangdong, in July this year, which was triggered by imported cases. As of July 15, there were 478 confirmed cases, all of which presented with mild symptoms. Although no confirmed CF cases have been recorded in Hong Kong so far this year, the CHP has been preparing for the risk of imported cases as a prudent measure, and will continue to closely monitor the trend of CF in neighbouring areas.

CF is a mosquito-borne disease, and a statutory notifiable infectious diseases in Hong Kong. Its symptoms are similar to those of dengue fever (DF). Patients with CF typically presented with fever and joint pain. Other common symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. While most patients recover on their own, in some cases, joint pain may persist for several months or even years. The mortality rate of CF is generally lower than that of DF. From 2016 to 2019, between one and 11 CF cases were recorded in Hong Kong each year. All of which were imported cases. There have been no CF cases in Hong Kong since 2020.

According to the World Health Organization, CF cases have been recorded in more than 110 countries/regions. As of early June this year, over 220 000 cases had been reported in 14 countries/regions worldwide (including the Mainland, Taiwan and Singapore which are popular tourist destinations for Hong Kong citizens). Of these cases, about 80 were fatal.

"Although Aedes aegypti, the primary vector for spreading CF, is not found in Hong Kong, Aedes albopictus, another vector that can transmit CF, is a common mosquito species in Hong Kong. Imported cases of CF can lead to local transmission if they are bitten by mosquitoes during the communicable period. Inadequate mosquito control also poses a risk of CF outbreaks. Therefore, members of the public should remain vigilant. Mosquito control is of paramount importance, including eliminating mosquito breeding sites and avoiding mosquito bites. Members of the public are advised to maintain mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and when travelling outside of Hong Kong. Those returning from areas affected by CF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If they feel unwell, they should seek medical advice promptly and provide their travel details to a doctor," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.

"According to the information provided by Guangdong Province, the current CF outbreak mainly occurred in the towns of Lecong, Beijiao and Chencun in Shunde, which are not popular tourist destinations for Hong Kong citizens. However, the risk of imported cases in Hong Kong has increased due to frequent travel between Guangdong and Hong Kong. In the light of the situation in Shunde, the DH has stepped up the provision of health advice to travellers on prevention of mosquito bites and reminded travellers returning to Hong Kong that they should seek medical treatment or contact port health staff for assistance as soon as possible if they develop symptoms. Suspected cases will be referred to medical institutions for follow-up. The CHP's Port Health Division (PHD) will step up inspections at boundary control points to ensure good environmental hygiene and vector control measures are in place. It will also continue to conduct health promotions (including reminding travellers to adopt anti-mosquito measures during outbound trips), and maintain close liaison with relevant stakeholders (e.g. airlines and the travel industry) to provide the latest disease information and health advice timely. In addition, the CHP has issued a letter to all doctors and hospitals in Hong Kong providing the latest epidemiological information and urging them to pay attention to the presence of relevant symptoms among those who return to Hong Kong after outbound travel. They should also refer any CF case to hospitals for treatment and report it to the DH immediately in accordance with the established mechanism, so that the DH can initiate epidemiological investigations and implement prevention and control measures. The Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the CHP will conduct tests on suspected cases. Furthermore, the CHP has notified the Hospital Authority to raise alertness and make relevant contingency preparations in public hospitals as appropriate," Dr Tsui added.

DH will continue to step up health education on mosquito-borne diseases, including disseminating travel health advice to travellers and enhancing public education on the prevention of CF through various online and offline channels. The Environment and Ecology Bureau will remind relevant bureaux and departments, as well as trade stakeholders, to step up territory-wide mosquito prevention and control work. The interdepartmental Pest Control Steering Committee will convene a meeting on July 23 to review the latest situation ofmosquito proliferation and the anti-mosquito work of departments, and to plan for the anti- mosquito work for the future.

To prevent mosquito-borne diseases, members of the public are also reminded to take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:

Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;

Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;

Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;

Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;

Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;

Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and

Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers, and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:

Read the label instructions carefully first;

Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;

Apply on exposed skin and clothing;

Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;

Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and

Reapply only when needed and follow the instructions.

* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the Chikungunya fever page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook PageandYouTube Channel.

Source: AI-found images

HKSAR Government welcomes court's decision to dismiss Chow Hang Tung's application for judicial review on clothing policy for persons in custody

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government welcomes the judgment handed down by the Court of First Instance of the High Court today (January 13) to dismiss Chow Hang Tung's application for judicial review on the clothing policy for persons in custody (PICs).

The court judgment pointed out that the current clothing policy for PICs, including the requirement for female PICs to wear trousers in summer daytime, was formulated by the Correctional Services Department (CSD) as authorised by the Prison Rules. The Court was satisfied that the CSD had the expertise and experience in the relevant context, and that it had carefully considered various factors, taken into account of professional opinion when making the decision, as well as reviewed the policy continuously. The Court ruled that Chow Hang Tung had failed to demonstrate that the current policy constituted less favourable treatment of a particular gender. The Court pointed out that there was currently no factual evidence to support any assertion that there was widespread concern about the health effects of wearing trousers in summer. In addition, the rule was not absolute, but instead allowed individual PICs to apply for exceptional arrangements in special circumstances. At the same time, the Court also rejected Chow Hang Tung's assertion that she had requested to the CSD in July and August 2024 to wear shorts and had been refused.

A spokesman for the Security Bureau said, "The ruling of the Court of First Instance confirmed that the CSD's approach is reasonable, justified and lawful. According to Rule 26 of the Prison Rules, the CSD must provide every PIC with a uniform that meets a scale imposed by the Commissioner of Correctional Services. Over the years, the CSD had appointed task groups from time to time to review the clothing arrangements of PICs. These reviews gave ample consideration to numerous factors, including the type of correctional institutions, PICs' varying daily routines and activities involved, the need for thermal, physical and psychological comfort for PICs of different genders, privacy and decency of PICs and the security, good order and discipline of the prison, so as to continuously refine clothing arrangements according to the prevailing circumstances."

The spokesman stated, "Chow Hang Tung's assertion that she requested to wear shorts in summer and was rejected by the CSD is entirely inconsistent with the facts and was rejected by the Court. Besides, the current clothing policy for PICs already provides a degree of flexibility. For example, a PIC may make an application to wear other clothing on medical or non-medical grounds to the CSD, and the CSD would make appropriate arrangements having considered the actual circumstances and relevant factors."

The CSD will continue to impartially implement the relevant rules of the Prison Rules in accordance with the law and commit to providing a secure, safe, humane, decent and healthy custodial environment.

Source: AI-found images