Hong Kong Reports New Imported Chikungunya Fever Case from Guangdong, Totaling 59 Confirmed Cases This Year

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that as of 5pm today (November 6), the CHP has recorded one new imported case of chikungunya fever (CF).

Latest case information

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The case involves a 73-year-old male living alone in Tung Chung. A preliminary investigation revealed that he visited Foshan in Guangdong alone between October 20 and 30. He developed a fever and joint pain on November 4, and sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of North Lantau Hospital yesterday (November 5). He was admitted for treatment in a mosquito-free environment and is now in stable condition. His blood sample tested positive for the chikungunya virus upon laboratory testing.

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

Latest surveillance data

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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 59 confirmed CF cases this year. Among them, three were local cases and the rest were imported cases. For the local case recently announced, the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch has completed genome analysis of the 45-year-old patient. The results indicated that the genetic sequence of his viral sample differed from those of other imported CF cases recorded in Hong Kong and the two local CF cases in Wong Tai Sin, suggesting separate sources of infection. The CHP cannot rule out the possibility that an earlier, undiagnosed patient in an area visited by the 45-year-old patient, transmitted the virus to mosquitoes, which then infected him.

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.

Government's comprehensive follow-up actions

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In light of a recent local case in Kwai Tsing District,the CHP, based on the risk assessment, urged the residents living near 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 develop symptoms such as fever, rash or joint pain after October 1.The CHP officers and relevant District Services & Community Care Teams have distributed leaflets on CF prevention to over 10 000 households in Mount Haven and the surrounding areas , Kwai Chung Plaza, Shun Tak Centre in Sheung Wan and the vicinityto remind residents to monitor for relevant symptoms and maintain good environmental hygiene at home.

The CHP has set up health consultation booths at Cheung Hang Community Hall in Tsing Yi, Kwai Fong Estate (near Kwai Ming House) and the pedestrian bridge towards the east exit of Shun Tak Centre in Sheung Wan to provide assessments to members of the public with relevant symptoms. Please visit the CHP's webpage for the addresses and operating hours of the health consultation booths. The inquiry hotline (2125 2373), which was set up earlier, continues to operate daily from 9am to 8pm.

From November 3 to 5pm today, the CHP has conducted assessments for approximately 13 000 individuals residing or working in higher-risk districts through the health consultation booths at the abovementioned locations, its inquiry hotline, door-to-door visits and questionnaires conducted in the districts concerned. A total of 14 individuals with mild symptoms have been arranged to undergo blood tests. Details are as follows:

In the vicinity of Mount Haven in Tsing Yi

In the vicinity of Kwai Chung Plaza

In the vicinity of Shun Tak Centre in Sheung Wan

Number of individuals assessed

Over 4 200 persons

Over 5 900 persons

Over 2 900 persons

Number of individuals with mild symptoms who have been arranged to undergo blood tests

4 persons

6 persons

4 persons

Number of individuals who have completed testing

1 person who is negative

1 person who is negative

4 persons who are negative

Number of individuals pending testing results

3 persons

5 persons

0 person

TheFood and Environmental Hygiene Department (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.

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.

Source: AI-found images

Labour Department to hold courses and public talks on prevention of heat stroke at work and occupational health

The Labour Department (LD) regularly organises courses and public health talks on the prevention of heat stroke at work and occupational health to raise awareness of occupational health among both employers and employees.

Details of three courses and health talks on the prevention of heat stroke at work in April are as follows:

(1)

Topic: Safety Legislation for Working in Times of Inclement Weather and Hot Environment (Course Code: IW)

Dates and time: April 14 (Half-day (pm)); April 23 (Half-day (am))

Venue: Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre of the LD, 13/F, KOLOUR·Tsuen Wan I, 68 Chung On Street, Tsuen Wan, New Territories

Enrolment method: Online registration of Occupational Safety and Health Training Courses (www.oshtc.labour.gov.hk/wpas/?lang=en)

Enquiry hotline: 2940 7057

(2)

Topic: Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work in a Hot Environment and Heat Stress Risk Assessment

Date and time: April 13 (3.30pm to 5pm)

Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Science Museum, 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon

Enrolment method: Online registration for public talks on occupational health (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)

Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040

In addition, the LD will hold the following occupational health public talks in April:

(1)

Topic: Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) for Confined Space Workers

Content: To enhance workers' OSH awareness of working in confined spaces, the talk will explain the related hazards as well as their preventive measures.

Date and time: April 8 (3.30pm to 5pm)

Venue: Health Education Room, Occupational Safety and Health Centre of the LD, G/F, Kwun Tong Community Health Centre Building, 60 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon

Enrolment method: Online registration (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)

Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040

(2)

Topic: Noise Hazards & Prevention of Hearing Loss

Content: The talk will give an introduction on the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Noise at Work) Regulation and the Occupational Deafness Compensation Scheme, as well as health hazards posed by noise at work and preventive measures for hearing loss.

Date and time: April 16 (3.30pm to 5pm)

Venue: Health Education Room, Occupational Safety and Health Centre of the LD, G/F, Kwun Tong Community Health Centre Building, 60 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon

Enrolment method: Online registration (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)

Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040

(3)

Topic: Occupational Health of Office Workers Series (III) More Exercise, Smart Work

Content: The talk will introduce the benefits of exercise. Demonstrations and practice of workplace exercises will also be included.

Date and time: April 21 (3.30pm to 5pm)

Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Science Museum, 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon

Enrolment method: Online registration (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)

Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040

All courses and public talks will be given by the LD's occupational hygienist, occupational safety officer, occupational health nurse or a representative of the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board in Cantonese. Admission is free.

The LD also provides a free-of-charge outreach occupational health education service. For details, please visit the department's webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/content7.htm) or call 2852 4062.

Source: AI-found images