New Imported Chikungunya Case Reported in Hong Kong Following Family Trip to Shenzhen

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that as of 5pm today (November 22), the CHP has recorded one new imported case of chikungunya fever (CF).

Latest case information

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The new case involves a 66-year-old male living in Kwai Tsing District. The patient and the imported case involving a 60-year-old female announced yesterday, are from the same family. They visited Shenzhen in Guangdong together on November 17. The CHP conducted epidemiological investigations yesterday (November 21) on the case involving the 60-year-old female and found that the 66-year-old male patient has developed joint pain since November 20. The CHP immediately referred him to the Accident and Emergency Department of Yan Chai Hospital to undergo examination and blood test. His blood sample tested positive for the chikungunya virus upon laboratory testing. The patient has been admitted for treatment in a mosquito-free environment. He is now in stable condition.

The aforementioned patients have one household contact who travelled to Shenzhen with them. This person concerned is currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance.

As the patient has visited CF-affected areas for travel during theincubation period,the CHP preliminarilyconsidered that the case was infected during his travel. The case is classified as imported. The CHP will report the case to the health authority of Guangdong Province.

Latest surveillance data

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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 68 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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Furthermore, in light of the local case involving a 68-year-old female who lives in Tung Hei Court in Shau Kei Wan, the CHP has conducted assessments for over 4 950 individuals through the health consultation booth on 2/F, Hing Tung Shopping Centre in Shau Kei Wan, its inquiry hotline, questionnaire surveys and door-to-door visits at Tung Hei Court. Four individuals with mild symptoms previously have been arranged to undergo blood tests, and all testednegative for the chikungunya virus.The enquiry hotline (2125 2373) continues to operate daily from 9am to 6pm.

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

Source: AI-found images

Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance comes into effect today

The Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance (Cap. 651) (the Ordinance) comes intoeffect today (July 31), providing a legal framework for advance medical directives (AMDs) and do-not-attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) orders, as well as legal protection for healthcare professionals and rescuers when complying with the directives and orders.

A spokesperson for the Health Bureau (HHB) said, "The Government's policy objective is to ensure that terminally ill patients and their families receive appropriate end-of-life care services and support. The purpose of AMDs and DNACPR orders under the Ordinance is to respect patients' autonomous choices regarding life-sustaining treatment (LST), allowing them to conclude their life's voyage with peace and dignity. The commencement of the Ordinance marks a new milestone in Hong Kong's end-of-life care services."

An AMD allows an adult patient suffering from an advanced and irreversible disease, while he/she is mentally capable of deciding on an LST, to indicate in advance the LST(s) (for example, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, artificial ventilation, and artificial nutrition and hydration) that he/she wishes to refuse should he/she subsequently lose mental capacity and the preconditions specified in the AMD are met. An AMD does not, however, allow the refusal of basic care or palliative care. In line with the principle of "cautious making, easy revoking", the maker must, before making an AMD, fully understand and carefully weigh the implications of each instruction for his/her own condition to make an informed decision, and the AMD must comply with a number of statutory requirements. The maker may also revoke the AMD at any time in the manner specified in the Ordinance.

A DNACPR order, made by registered medical practitioners for a patient who has met the specified preconditions, seeks to ensure that, in settings outside hospitals and even when no healthcare professionals are present, rescuers will act in accordance with the relevant DNACPR order and will not perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the patient.

Upon commencement of the Ordinance, healthcare professionals and rescuers are required to act in accordance with the patient's AMD or DNACPR order when they have notice of it and the preconditions specified in the Ordinance are met. Under the principle of"if in doubt, save lives first", the Ordinance provides legal protection for healthcare professionals and rescuers, exempting them from the relevant legal liability where, for example, they administer an LST to a patient because they do not have notice of a valid and applicable AMD or DNACPR order, or they withhold an LST from a patient because they honestly and reasonably believe that the patient has a valid and applicable AMD or DNACPR order.

The Ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council in November 2024. The Government subsequently provided a preparatory period of about one and a half years for stakeholders to get ready for its implementation, and gazetted on May 22, 2026, appointing July 31 as the date on which the Ordinance comes into operation. In preparation for the commencement of the Ordinance, the HHB has worked in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including policy bureaux and departments, public and private healthcare institutions, residential care homes (RCHs), professional bodies and emergency rescue service organisations, to take forward a range of preparatory work. This includes organising professional training seminars for the personnel concerned (such as healthcare professionals of public and private healthcare institutions, frontline rescue and management staff of government departments and organisations involved in emergency rescues, and staff of RCHs), and updating the relevant service and operational guidelines. The Government has also promoted public understanding of the Ordinance through interdepartmental and cross-sectoral public education and publicity activities, and will continue with these efforts.

Members of the public who wish to learn more about AMDs and DNACPR orders, or who are considering making an AMD, may discuss the matter with a doctor familiar with their condition, who will offer suitable advice having regard to the patient's circumstances. Further information on the Ordinance is available on the HHB's thematic webpage at www.healthbureau.gov.hk/en/press_and_publications/otherinfo/241100_adlto/index.html.

Source: AI-found images