Two New Imported Chikungunya Fever Cases Reported in Hong Kong After Travel to Guangdong

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that as of 5pm today (October 5), two new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.

Latest case information

The first case involves a 61-year-old male living in Southern District. Preliminary investigation revealed that he visited Foshan and Zhuhai in Guangdong between September 27 and 29. He developed a fever and joint pain on October 2. He sought medical attention at an out-patient clinic of a private hospital on October 3, and he was subsequently admitted for treatment in a mosquito-free environment yesterday (October 4). His blood sample tested positive for the Chikungunya virus upon laboratory testing. He is now in stable condition.

​Seven people who accompanied the patient to Foshan and Zhuhai and another household contact of his (who did not travel with him) are currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance.

​The other case involves a 24-year-old male living in Eastern District. Preliminary investigation revealed that he visited Jiangmen in Guangdong Province alone between September 26 and 29. He developed a fever, rash and joint pain on October 3. He sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital and was admitted on the same day for treatment in a mosquito-free environment. His blood sample tested positive for the Chikungunya virus upon laboratory testing. He is now in stable condition.

The patient's three household contacts are currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance.

Since the two patients stayed in Guangdong Province during their incubation periods, the CHP considered that they were infected during travel. The cases were classified as imported. The CHP's epidemiological investigation is ongoing, and it has reported the cases to the health authority of Guangdong Province.

Latest surveillance data

So far this year, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 26 confirmed CF cases. All are imported cases. From 2016 to 2019, Hong Kong recorded between one and 11 imported cases annually.

Since the beginning of 2025, and as of September 30, a total of 445 271 suspected and confirmed CF cases and 155 CF-related deaths have been reported in 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. CF outbreaks currently occur in many countries worldwide. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad.

Continuously strengthening prevention and control

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) continues to conduct vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations, and intensify mosquito prevention and control measures at the residences of recently confirmed patients, as well as at locations visited after the onset of symptoms. These measures include:

carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;

carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and

enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.

​The CHP urged schools to follow the FEHD's anti-mosquito guidelines to strengthen efforts to clear stagnant water on school premises and eliminate mosquito breeding sites. It is also imperative to remind staff members and students to consistently implement mosquito prevention and personal protective measures to guard against the spread of mosquito-borne diseases within school premises.

Additionally, the CHP's Port Health Division continues to step up inspections at boundary control points and remind cross-boundary public transport operators and other relevant parties to ensure good environmental hygiene and effective implementation of anti-mosquito measures. Furthermore, staff members of the Port Health Division distribute leaflets to travellers, conduct temperature screenings for inbound travellers, conduct health assessments for travellers with fever or related symptoms and refer them to hospitals for follow ups when necessary.

Proper use of DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients can prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

read the label instructions carefully first;

apply right before entering an area with a 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 (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);

apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;

reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and

in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

​The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.

Source: AI-found images

CE commends Hong Kong, China athletes for outstanding performance in 12th NGD and 9th NSOG

The 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG) conclude today (December 15). The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, commended Hong Kong, China athletes for their outstanding performance in the Games, showcasing remarkable determination and excellent sportsmanship, and extended his congratulations on their achievements.

Mr Lee said, "The Hong Kong, China Delegation participating in the 12th NGD and 9th NSOG was the largest ever. The athletes fully demonstrated personal perseverance and team spirit, achieving historic and encouraging results with a total of 140 medals, including 51 gold, 49 silver, and 40 bronze medals in taekwondo, athletics, table tennis, swimming, boccia, wheelchair fencing, badminton, NSOG athletics, NSOG bocce, NSOG swimming, NSOG basketball, NSOG football, NSOG table tennis and NSOG badminton, and a mass participation event of para dance sport. They strove hard, overcame obstacles, and surpassed their personal bests, showcasing Hong Kong's indefatigable and indomitable spirit.

"The 12th NGD and 9th NSOG are the country's highest-level multisport event for persons with disabilities. Noting that this year's Games were jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao for the first time with Hong Kong hosting four competition events and one mass participation event, I express my gratitude to the Central Government for its trust, and to the China Disabled Persons' Federation and the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC) for their support. Building on the valuable experience of the 15th National Games, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao continue to leverage their synergies through resource sharing and complementary strengths to work in concert to deliver the 12th NGD and 9th NSOG under the principle of equality, integration and sharing.

"I would like to thank all sectors of society for their support for the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG, especially the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI), the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, and the China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee, as well as the coaching teams, medical personnel, and support teams from relevant National Sports Associations and sports organisations. Their efforts and contributions have assisted Hong Kong athletes in showcasing their talents and enabled the smooth running of events in the Hong Kong competition region, promoting harmony between disabled and non-disabled individuals and enhancing society's support for disability sports."

Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government is fully committed to promoting the development of disability sports, noting that the Government's actual expenditure on sports development for persons with disabilities exceeded $140 million in the year of 2024-25, with over 80 per cent of the expenditure supporting athletes with disabilities. The Government has designated over $1 billion for the HKSI in the year of 2025-26 to support its training for elite athletes, including those for elite disability sports. The Government will encourage more persons with disabilities to pursue careers as athletes and showcase their talents through continuously increasing resources and enhancing the athlete training ladder, with a view to raising the public's awareness of and support for disability sports.

Mr Lee remarked that the successful conclusion of the 15th National Games, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG demonstrated the capabilities of Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) in organising large-scale sports events. The Hong Kong SAR Government, the GASC, the People's Government of Guangdong Province, and the Macao SAR Government have signed an agreement on strengthening of sports co-operation and promotion of integrated development to carry forward the spirit of unity under the strategic framework, with a view to deepening co-operation within the GBA and actively implementing integrated sports development in the area.

Source: AI-found images