Hong Kong Reports New Imported Chikungunya Fever Case from Guangdong Travel

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that as of 5pm today (November 17),the CHP has recorded one new imported case of chikungunya fever (CF).

Latest case information

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The case involves a 67-year-old female living in Kwai Tsing District. A preliminary investigation revealed that she visited Shenzhen in Guangdong on November 7 and 8. She developed joint pain and a fever on November 12 and 15 respectively. Yesterday (November 16), she developed a rash and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of North Lantau Hospital. She was admitted for treatment in a mosquito-free environment and is now in stable condition. Her blood sample tested positive for the chikungunya virus upon laboratory testing.

The patient has two household contacts, who travelled with her to Shenzhen.They are currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance.

Since the patient stayed in Guangdong Province during her incubation period, the CHP considered that she 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 63 confirmed CF cases this year. Among them, four were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.

According to information from the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration, the recent outbreak of CF has shown a sustained downward trend. There were 48 new CF cases in Guangdong last week (November 9 to 15), showing a further decrease compared to the previous week (November 2 to 8), which reported 107 cases. The cases last week were mainly reported in Jiangmen (14 cases) and Shenzhen (12 cases). All cases were mild, with no severe or fatal cases reported.

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 4 700 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. No new symptomatic persons have been identified in the past one day. Four individuals with mild symptoms previously have been arranged to undergo blood tests, and all testednegative for the chikungunya virus.

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 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

Court makes review decision on sentencing for violating occupational safety and health legislation

​Regarding the sentencing in a fatal industrial accident, the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (December 8) handed down a review decision, accepting the prosecution's application for review of an earlier court sentence, increasing the fines imposed on the contractor and shortening the duration, with higher amounts for the monthly instalment of the fines.

The case involved a fatal accident that occurred on May 7, 2022, at a residential unit under renovation in Jordan. A scaffolder, while preparing to erect a truss-out bamboo scaffold on an external wall, fell to the ground and died.

The contractor was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for the violation of the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, and was fined $90,000 and allowed to pay the fines in 90 instalments of $1,000 per month at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts on November 8, 2024.

After the sentencing, the prosecution filed a review application with the court regarding the sentences imposed on the relevant contractor. The review hearing was brought up today before the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts. The fines imposed on the contractor were increased to $160,000 and were payable in 74 instalments of $2,000 per month after deducting the fine of $12,000 that has already been paid.

A spokesman for the LD said that the ruling will disseminate a strong message to all contractors that they have to protect workers' safety and health at work in accordance with the laws. The prosecution will continue to pay attention to court rulings and will file review or appeal applications for cases where the sentences are manifestly inadequate and/or wrong in principle.

Source: AI-found images