Two new chikungunya fever cases reported in Hong Kong, both linked to recent 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 25), two new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.

Latest case information

The first case involves a 74-year-old female living in Kowloon City District. A preliminary investigation revealed that she visited Foshan in Guangdong between October 3 and 13. She developed joint pain and rash since October 20. She sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital yesterday (October 24) and was admitted for treatment in a mosquito-free environment. Her blood sample tested positive for the chikungunya virus upon laboratory testing. The patient is now in stable condition.

The patient has one household contact, who travelled with her to Foshan, is currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance.

The other case involves a 72-year-old male living in Shatin District. A preliminary investigation revealed that he visited Foshan in Guangdong alone between October 10 and 23. He developed a fever, joint pain and rash since October 23. He sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of Prince of Wales Hospital yesterday and was admitted for treatment in a mosquito-free environment. His blood sample tested positive for the chikungunya virus upon laboratory testing. The patient is now in stable condition.

The patient has one household contact, who is currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance.

Since both patients stayed in Guangdong Province during their incubation period, 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 46 confirmed CF cases. All are imported cases. Among which, a patient passed away, while conditions of other patients are mild.

Severe symptoms and deaths caused by CF are extremely rare, with a mortality rate of less than one in 1 000. The occurrence of severe complications is mostly related to the patients' underlying health conditions. Elderly persons (particularly those aged 65 or above), young children (particularly infants under 1 year old), pregnant women and persons with chronic illnesses (such as hypertension, diabetes or heart disease) are at higher risk of developing complications after contracting CF and may require a longer recovery period. Therefore, members of the public (especially the abovementioned high-risk groups) are advised to seek medical advice promptly if they develop relevant symptoms, particularly a fever, sudden severe joint pain and skin rash, after visiting areas affected by CF.

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 call1823in 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

Tender for re-opening of 3-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds to be held on March 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced today (February 26) that a tender of 3-year HKD Institutional Government Bonds (Bonds) through the re-opening of existing 3-year Government Bond issue 03GB2804001 under the Infrastructure Bond Programme will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, for settlement on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

An additional amount of HK$2.5 billion of the outstanding 3-year Bonds (issue no. 03GB2804001) will be on offer. The Bonds will mature on April 25, 2028, and will carry interest at the rate of 2.76per cent per annum payable semi-annually in arrear. The Indicative Pricings of the Bonds on February 26, 2026, are 101.47 with an annualised yield of 2.072 per cent.

Tender is open only to Primary Dealers appointed under the Infrastructure Bond Programme. Anyone wishing to apply for the Bonds on offer can do so through any of the Primary Dealers on the latest published list, which can be obtained from the Hong Kong Government Bonds website at www.hkgb.gov.hk. Each tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof.

Tender results will be published on the HKMA's website, the Hong Kong Government Bonds website, Bloomberg (GBHK <GO>) and Refinitiv (IBPGSBPINDEX). The publication time is expected to be no later than 3pm on the tender day.

HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds Tender Information

Tender information of 3-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:

Issue Number

:

03GB2804001

Stock Code

:

4291 (HKGB 2.76 2804)

Tender Date and Time

:

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

9.30am to 10.30am

Issue and Settlement Date

:

Thursday, March 5, 2026

Amount on Offer

:

HK$2.5 billion

Maturity

:

3 years

Remaining maturity

:

Approximately 2.14 years

Maturity Date

:

Tuesday, April 25, 2028

Interest Rate

:

2.76per cent p.a. payable semi-annually in arrear

Interest Payment Dates

:

April 25and October 25in each year, commencing on the Issue Date up to and including the Maturity Date, subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Institutional Issuances Information Memorandum of the Infrastructure Bond Programme and Government Sustainable Bond Programme (Information Memorandum) published on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website.

Method of Tender

:

Competitive tender

Tender Amount

:

Each competitive tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof. Any tender applications for the Bonds must be submitted through a Primary Dealer on the latest published list.

The accrued interest to be paid by successful bidders on the issue date (March 5, 2026) for the tender amount is HK$487.73 per minimum denomination of HK$50,000.

(The accrued interest to be paid for tender amount exceeding HK$50,000 may not be exactly equal to the figures calculated from the accrued interest per minimum denomination of HK$50,000 due to rounding).

Other Details

:

Please see the Information Memorandum available on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website or approach Primary Dealers.

Expected commencement date of dealing on

the Stock Exchange

of Hong Kong Limited

:

The tender amount is fully fungible with the existing 03GB2804001 (Stock code: 4291) listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.

Use of Proceeds

:

The Bonds will be issued under the institutional part of the Infrastructure Bond Programme. Proceeds will be invested in infrastructure projects in accordance with the Infrastructure Bond Framework published on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website.