New Local Chikungunya Fever Case Confirmed in Hong Kong; Health Authorities Urge Vigilance and Prevention Measures

CHP recorded another locally acquired case of chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that as of 5pm today (November 3), one new case of chikungunya fever (CF) has been recorded, which is classified as a local case. The CHP continued to implement various prevention and control measures together with various Government departments and relevant organisations, striving to prevent CF from taking root locally and minimise the public health impact of the disease in Hong Kong.

Latest case information

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The case involves a 45-year-old male living in Kwai Tsing District and working in Sheung Wan. A preliminary investigation revealed that he developed a fever, joint pain and rash on October 30. He sought medical attention at a private doctor on November 1. He was referred to the Accident and Emergency Department of the Princess Margaret Hospital and was admitted for treatment in a mosquito-free environment on the same day. He is in stable condition now. His blood sample tested positive for chikungunya virus upon laboratory testing. A preliminary investigation revealed that the patient had no travel history in the preceding three months (including the incubation period prior to onset). The case is classified as a local case.

The investigation also revealed that the patient did not visit Wong Tai Sin during the incubation period (i.e., the location of infection for the other two locally acquired cases this year). However, there is an overlap in the patient's residence and usual activity areas with individual imported cases. The CHP will carry out genome analysis to ascertain whether it has epidemiological linkage with the imported cases confirmed in Hong Kong earlier. Investigation is ongoing.

Government's comprehensive follow-up actions

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In response to the new local case, the CHP today has conducted inter-departmental meeting with various departments and relevant organisations, including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and Kwai Tsing District Office (KTDO), to ensure that all units implement various preventive and control measures in a speedy and orderly manner. The CHP, together with the FEHD, have inspected various locations in the vicinity of patient's residence, conducted vector investigations and mosquito control operations to minimise the risk of local transmission.

The CHP is implementing prevention and control measures according to epidemiological investigations and risk assessment, including providing medical surveillance and health advice to five household contacts of the case or those with common exposure to the source of infection. So far, they are all asymptomatic. If necessary, the CHP will arrange for laboratory testing.

The CHP urged the residents living nearby Mount Haven in Tsing Yi, Kwai Chung Plaza and Shun Tak Centre in Sheung Wan to seek medical advice or contact the CHP immediately if they presented with a fever, rash or joint pain since October 1. The CHP officers and relevant District Services & Community Care Teams will contact residents living in relevant districts and remind them to take note of relevant symptoms and be aware of environmental hygiene in the household.

The CHP will set up health consultation booths at Kwai Fong Estate, Cheung Hang Estate and Sheung Wan tomorrow (November 4) to provide assessments to residents with relevant symptoms. Venues will be announced in the CHP's designated webpage. The inquiry hotline (2125 2373) set up earlier will continue to operate from 9am to 8pm daily.

The CHP will organise an online live seminarat 8.30pm tomorrow. Doctors will explain the latest situation of CF, how to prevent infection and how to properly use insect repellents. The CHP will also collaborate with KTDO to organise health talks for the residents at the Cheung Hang Community Hall in Tsing Yi at 3pm on Wednesday (November 5), which aims to enhance public understanding of this mosquito-borne disease and encourage active participation in prevention efforts to protect both oneself and others. Details will be announced later.

The CHP will again issue letters to doctors, hospitals, schools and institutions, providing the latest information on CF and reminding them to be vigilant. If there is any suspected CF cases, they should contact the CHP for follow up immediately.

On the other hand, the CHP continued to follow up the local cases in Fung Tak Estate in Wong Tai Sin. Starting from October 26 till now, the CHP has conducted assessments for about 11 000 residents through the health consultation booth on the second floor of Fung Tak Shopping Centre, its inquiry hotline and door-to-door visits in Fung Tak Estate. Among them, 40 individuals with mild symptoms have been arranged to undergo blood tests. As of 5pm today, 39 samples have completed testing and are all negative for the chikungunya virus. Besides, starting from tomorrow, the health consultation booth in Fung Tak Shopping Centre will change to operate from 9am to 1pm daily.

The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July this year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:

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 abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.

As of 5pm today, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 55 confirmed CF cases this year, including three local cases and the rest are imported cases.

Preventive measures taken by the public

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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.

Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to 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 empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies 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.

CHP recorded another locally acquired case of chikungunya fever Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP recorded another locally acquired case of chikungunya fever Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP recorded another locally acquired case of chikungunya fever Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Scam alert related to banks

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

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to the press releases issued by the banks listed below relating to fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens, phishing emails or other scams, which have been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlinks to the press releases are available on theHKMA website.

Bank

Type of scam

The Bank of East Asia, Limited

Fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens and phishing email

Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited

Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen

OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited

Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen

Chong Hing Bank Limited

Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen

Chiyu Banking Corporation Limited

Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens

The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).

Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the scams concerned, should contact the relevant bank with the information provided in the corresponding press release, and report the matter to the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

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