Hong Kong Reports New Chikungunya and Dengue Fever Cases; Travel Advisory Issued for Affected Regions.

Update on mosquito-borne diseases, chikungunya fever and dengue fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 10) reported the latest situation of chikungunya fever (CF) and dengue fever (DF).

Chikungunya fever

As of 5pm today, one new case of CF had been recorded.

The case involves a 9-year-old boy living in Sham Shui Po District. Preliminary investigations revealed that he visited Zhaoqing in Guangdong between October 4 and 6. He developed a fever, joint pain and rash yesterday (October 9). He was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of Caritas Medical Centre for medical attention on the same day and was admitted for treatment in a mosquito-free environment. He is now in stable condition. His blood sample tested positive for the Chikungunya virus upon laboratory testing.

Three household contacts of the patient had travelled with him to Guangdong and are currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance.

Since the patient stayed in Guangdong during his incubation period, the CHP considered that he was infected during travel. The case was classified as imported. The CHP's epidemiological investigation is ongoing, and it has reported the case to the health authority of Guangdong Province.

So far this year, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 29 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.

Dengue fever

From October 3 to yesterday (October 9), the CHP recorded one imported DF case. The patient had travelled to India during the incubation period.

As of yesterday, 49 imported DF cases have been recorded so far this year. A total of 161 cases of DF were recorded in 2024, including 156 imported and five local cases.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2024, the WHO recorded over 14 million cases, which was a record number.

DF is prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations. Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam have each recorded over 40 000 cases so far this year. Singapore has also recorded over 3 500 cases.Meanwhile, according to the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong Province has recorded nearly 1 600 locally infected cases so far this year. A total of 150 cases were recorded in a week between September 22 to 28, with the highest number of cases recorded in Guangzhou, Jiangmen, Chaozhou and Shenzhen.

Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHPwebsite.

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 of DF and CF, as well as at locations visited after the onset of symptoms. These measures include:

carrying out intensive fogging inscrubby 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.

​Additionally, the CHP's Port Health Division continues to step up inspections at boundary control points and to 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

CEDD and AFCD jointly launch Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines

The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) jointly launched the Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines (HKNbSDG) today (March 3). The HKNbSDG aims to provide practical planning and design guidelines for infrastructure and development projects. It promotes the application of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to address societal challenges through actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore ecosystems, striking a balance between development and nature conservation while enhancing Hong Kong's climate resilience and driving sustainable development.

With reference to the global standards of the International Union for Conservation of Nature as well as relevant overseas, Mainland and local guidelines, the HKNbSDG proposes three core principles: (1) promoting ecosystem diversity at multiple scales; (2) embracing human-nature coexistence for mutual benefits; and (3) improving resilience through NbS. Factoring in the characteristics of Hong Kong's natural ecology and urban development, it provides clear guidance and local case studies to enable engineering teams to seamlessly integrate NbS into their workflows.

Speaking at the promulgation ceremony, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, said that NbS is crucial for realising the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature. The Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2035, announced by the Environment and Ecology Bureau late last year, proposed the widespread application of NbS to provide practical, effective and forward-looking solutions for urban planning, design and development, thereby addressing various urban challenges while strengthening ecological conservation. She pointed out that Hong Kong possesses a vast network of ecological protection areas in close proximity to urban areas, along with a rich pool of relevant professional talent and institutions, which will help facilitate the further development of NbS.

In his address, the Under Secretary for Development, Mr David Lam, said that NbS is not new to Hong Kong. Over recent years, works departments have championed "blue-green infrastructure", built functional "urban mini-forests" and eco-shorelines, and utilised vegetation to maintain natural hill slope stability. To scale up these successful experiences, the Government must integrate individual pilot applications into a structured, mainstreamed approach, hence the necessity of formulating the HKNbSDG. The Northern Metropolis presents a timely opportunity to actively integrate urban development with ecological conservation through NbS.

In the planning and development of the Northern Metropolis, the Government will strive to incorporate the design principles of the HKNbSDG to enhance climate resilience and promote biodiversity. Among these projects, the planning and design of the San Tin Technopole will draw on the HKNbSDG to introduce various NbS, achieving the vision of coexistence of development and conservation, as well as harmony between humans and nature.

The HKNbSDG has been uploaded to the websites of the CEDD (www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/publications/miscellaneous/nm-santintech/index.html) and the AFCD (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/Con_hkbsap/bsap_resources_references/bsap_resources_references.html).

CEDD and AFCD jointly launch Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CEDD and AFCD jointly launch Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CEDD and AFCD jointly launch Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CEDD and AFCD jointly launch Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases