Hong Kong Warns Public About Rising Dengue and Chikungunya Fever Risks Amid Increased Mosquito Activity

Update on mosquito-borne diseases, dengue fever and chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 1) announced the latest situation regarding dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya fever (CF). As temperatures gradually rise and humidity increases, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding, members of the public are reminded to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.

Dengue fever

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From April 24 to yesterday (April 30), the CHP recorded one imported DF case. The patient had travelled to Vietnam during the incubation period.

Regarding the local DF case announced earlier, the CHP has conducted health assessments for approximately 700 individuals, including workers at the same construction site as the patient and residents of the same housing estate. None of them have exhibited any symptoms. The CHP has not received any reports of suspected DF cases epidemiologically linked to that local case.

Hong Kong has recorded 17 DF cases so far this year, including 16 imported cases and one local case. A total of 59 DF cases were recorded last year (2025), all of which were imported cases. In 2024, 161 DF cases were recorded, including 156 imported cases and five local cases.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2024, the WHO recorded over 14 million cases, which was a record number. From January to July 2025, over 4 million cases and over 3 000 DF-related deaths were reported in 97 countries/territories.

DF is prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations. In 2025, Indonesia, India and Vietnam each recorded over 120 000 cases; Malaysia and Thailand each recorded over 50 000 cases; and Singapore recorded over 4 000 cases. Meanwhile, as of April 19, the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 69 cases in Guangdong Province this year, including four locally infected cases. Guangdong Province recorded over 3 500 locally infected cases in 2025.

Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP'swebsite.

Chikungunya fever

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From April 24 to yesterday, no new cases of CF had been recorded. Hong Kong has recorded two confirmed CF cases so far this year, both of which were imported cases. Hong Kong recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.

Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Meanwhile, as of April 19, the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention recorded three cases in Guangdong Province this year, including one locally infected case.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

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According to the latest surveillance data from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the mosquito infestations in Hong Kong worsened in April. In addition, the average temperature and rainfall in April this year were higher than those of the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. Therefore, the CHP reminded members of the public to maintain good environmental hygiene, and to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.

Mosquito-borne diseases such as DF and CF are endemic in various countries worldwide. The risk of importation persists. Members of the public should check the situation at their destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, whether traveling or not, 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

Hong Kong Customs teams up with Mainland and Macao Customs to combat cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipment activities

Hong Kong Customs conducted an enforcement operation with the Mainland and Macao Customs from April 13 to April 24, during which inspections of goods across the three places and destined for countries in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia were stepped up, with a view to combating cross-boundary and transshipment counterfeiting activities. During the operation, Hong Kong Customs detected 23 cases and seized about 46 000 suspected counterfeit goods, including watches, mobile phones, bags, clothing, footwear and electronic products, with a total estimated market value of about $16 million.

Through intelligence analysis and detailed investigations, Hong Kong Customs in the operation detected 21 related cases at a number of local express couriers and logistics companies.

Meanwhile, Customs officers detected two cases at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port, seizing a batch of suspected counterfeit goods from two incoming lorries. Two male lorry drivers, aged 48 and 52, were arrested. An investigation is ongoing. The two arrestees have been released on bail pending further investigation.

Hong Kong Customs will continue to work closely with the Mainland Customs, Macao Customs and overseas law enforcement agencies to vigorously combat cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipping activities through intelligence exchanges and joint enforcement actions.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 80 80 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs conducted an enforcement operation with the Mainland and Macao Customs from April 13 to April 24, during which inspections of goods across the three places and destined for countries in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia were stepped up, with a view to combating cross-boundary and transshipment counterfeiting activities. During the operation, Hong Kong Customs detected 23 cases and seized about 46 000 suspected counterfeit goods, including watches, mobile phones, bags, clothing, footwear and electronic products etc, with a total estimated market value of about $16 million. Photo shows the suspected counterfeit goods seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases