Hong Kong Reports No New Chikungunya Cases; Total Stands at 62 This Year

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that as of 5pm today (November 15), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.

Latest surveillance data

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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 62 confirmed CF cases this year. Among them, four were local cases and the rest were imported cases.

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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Regarding the recently announced local case involving a 68-year-old female who lives in Tung Hei Court in Shau Kei Wan, the CHP is still conducting genome analysis.

The CHP urged the residents living in the vicinity of Tung Hei Court to seek medical advice or contact the CHP immediately if they presented with a fever, rash or joint pain since October 15. The CHP collaborated with the Eastern District Services & Community Care Teams to distribute leaflets on CF prevention and questionnaire surveys to about 3 000 households in the affected areas in the vicinity of Tung Hei Court to remind residents to monitor for relevant symptoms and maintain good environmental hygiene at home.

As of 5pm today, the CHP has conducted assessments for over 4 200 individuals through the health consultation booth on 2/F, Hing Tung Shopping Centre in Shau Kei Wan, its inquiry hotline (2125 2373), questionnaire surveys and door-to-door visits at Tung Hei Court. Four individuals with mild symptoms have been arranged to undergo blood tests. So far one sample that has completed testing is negative for chikungunya virus. Laboratory testing for the remaining samples is continuing.

The Food 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 cases, 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 to be taken by the public

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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 the CHPand the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page, Instagram Accountand YouTube Channel, and also the Mosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.

Update on chikungunya fever Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CFS urges public not to consume a batch of imported canned shredded pork and preserved vegetable found with possibly excessive Sulfamethazine

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 7) urged the public not to consume a batch of imported canned shredded pork and preserved vegetable, as the product was found to possibly contain an excessive amount of Sulfamethazine, a veterinary drug residue. The trade should stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Ma Ling Shredded Pork and Preserved Vegetable

Brand: Ma Ling

Place of origin: China

Net weight: 240 grams

Best-before date: April 7, 2028

Distributor: Champion Fair Limited

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS noted a notification from the Macao authority that the above-mentioned product was detected with an excessive amount of Sulfamethazine. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately followed up. A preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned distributor had imported into Hong Kong the affected batch of the product concerned."

The distributor concerned has stopped sales, removed from shelves the affected batch of the product, and initiated a recall according to the CFS's instructions. Members of the public may call the distributor's hotline at 2766 0128 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

"Sulfamethazine is a sulfonamide antimicrobial drug. According to the detected level of the veterinary drug residue found by the relevant authority in the sample concerned, occasional consumption will not cause adverse health effect. However, consumption on a long-term basis may cause hypersensitivity and damage to the urinary system," the spokesman added.

The spokesman urged members of the public who had bought the affected batch of the product to stop consuming it. The trade should also stop using or selling the product concerned immediately.

The CFS has alerted the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.

Source: AI-found images