CHP Warns Public About Dengue and Chikungunya Risks During Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrations

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

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 25) announced the latest situation regarding dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya fever (CF). The CHP also reminded members of the public to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites when engaging in outdoor activities during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, such as visiting parks, grassy areas and beaches, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.

Dengue fever

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From September 18 to yesterday (September 24), the CHP recorded one imported DF case. The patient had visited Malaysia during the incubation period.

Hong Kong has recorded 32 DF cases so far this year, comprising 30 imported cases and two local cases. A total of 59 DF cases were recorded last year (2025), all of which were imported cases. In 2024, 161 DF cases were recorded, comprising 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 DF cases, which was a record number. In 2025, over five million cases and over 4 000 DF-related deaths were reported in over 90 countries/territories. From January to August 2026, around 2.2 million cases and over 1 000 DF-related deaths have been recorded globally.

DF has been prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations all along. So far this year, Sri Lanka and Vietnam each recorded over 90 000 cases; Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia each recorded over 70 000 cases; Bangladesh recorded over 60 000 cases; and Singapore recorded over 2 400 cases. Meanwhile, according to the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration, as of August 31, 2026, Guangdong Province has recorded 431 cases, of which 150 were recorded in August.

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's website.

Chikungunya fever

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From September 18 to yesterday, no new cases of CF had been recorded. Hong Kong has recorded three confirmed CF cases so far this year, including two imported cases and one local case. Hong Kong recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases and the rest were imported cases.

Regarding a local case announced last week (involving a woman living in Tai Kok Tsui), as of 5pm today, the CHP has conducted assessments for over 3 200 individuals residing or working in the district through the health consultation booth, its enquiry hotline, questionnaire surveys and door-to-door visits. No new cases have been identified. Three individuals with mild symptoms previously have been arranged to undergo blood tests and their samples tested negative for the chikungunya virus.The CHP continued to urge members of the public who reside in or have visited the vicinity of Li Tak Street, Cherry Street Park and Lok Kwan Street Park in Tai Kok Tsui to maintain good environmental hygiene and preventive measures. They should seek medical advice and contact the CHP hotline (Tel: 2125 2373)promptly if they have developed a fever, rash or joint pain.

According to the WHO, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths were reported in 41 countries/territories last year. Cases were reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe. According to the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration, as of August 31, 2026, Guangdong Province has recorded 739 cases, with 496 recorded in August, a sharp increase from the 36 and 171 cases recorded in June and July respectively.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

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The CHP reminds 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 travelling 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 Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) 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 Account and YouTube Channel, and also the Mosquito Prevention and Control dedicated page of the FEHD.

The Centre for Health Protection, Photo source: reference image

DH holds meeting with new Head of Secretariat of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to deepen collaboration and exchanges on tobacco control

The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, yesterday (September 25) met with the new Head of the Secretariat of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Mr Andrew Black, for an in-depth exchange on tobacco control work.

Mr Black assumed office as the Head of the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC on August 1 this year. Dr Lam welcomed Mr Black and expressed appreciation for his taking time out of a busy schedule to visit the Department of Health (DH) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to exchange views on the latest progress and strategies in tobacco control work.

Dr Lam said, "We are very honoured to receive Mr Black and representatives of the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA). The HKSAR Government has been advancing tobacco control through a science-based, public-oriented, multi-pronged and progressive approach. The HKSAR Government's strategy in tackling alternative smoking products (ASPs), including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and herbal cigarettes, is to nip the problem in the bud, by preventing ASPs from taking root in Hong Kong, and tackling at source the use of ASPs for drug inhalation. To this end, the HKSAR Government banned the import, manufacture, promotion and sale of ASPs, as well as the possession of ASPs for commercial purposes, more than four years ago. To further strengthen the control of ASPs, the Government has, since April 30 this year, prohibited the possession of ASPs in public places to prevent their local circulation in any form and to further prevent the younger generation from becoming addicted to smoking."

"Hong Kong's tobacco control journey is the culmination of decades of concerted efforts to build a comprehensive tobacco control strategy through multi-pronged measures. Adopting a whole-of-society approach, the Government has successfully lowered our smoking prevalence to 8.5 per cent in 2025, which is among the lowest in the world. The HKSAR Government will continue to implement the '10 measures for tobacco control'. The full implementation of plain packaging requirement and the duty stamp system for conventional smoking products will be completed by the end of next year. The relevant subsidiary legislation was gazetted on September 11. Following the implementation of these two measures, the Government will proceed with implementation of a ban on flavoured smoking products," Dr Lam added.

Mr Black noted that Hong Kong's tobacco control policies have long been closely aligned with the FCTC, and gave high recognition to Hong Kong's efforts and achievements in tobacco control. He specifically pointed out that Hong Kong's experience is highly valuable as a reference for other jurisdictions. He expressed strong support for Hong Kong's forthcoming measures, including plain packaging requirement for conventional smoking products, the duty stamp system and a ban on flavoured smoking products.

In addition, Mr Black commended the contribution made by the DH as a WHO Collaborating Centre on Smoking Cessation and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence. The DH has, since 2012, regularly provided training for tobacco control personnel in the Western Pacific Region. It also regularly organises training on smoking cessation treatment and Chinese medicine acupuncture for smoking cessation services for the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, serving as a regional hub in tobacco control and smoking cessation.

The Executive Director of SEATCA, Dr Ulysses Dorotheo; Programme Manager of SEATCA, Ms Irene Reyes; Professor and Director of the Primary Health Care Academy of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Sophia Chan; the Controller of Regulatory Affairs of the DH, Dr Fung Ying; and the Head of the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the DH, Dr Manny Lam, also attended the meeting.

The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, yesterday (September 25) met with the new Head of the Secretariat of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Mr Andrew Black, for an in-depth exchange on tobacco control work. Photo shows Dr Lam (front row, centre); Mr Black (front row, second left); the Executive Director of the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance, Dr Ulysses Dorotheo (front row, second right); Professor and Director of HKU Primary Health Care Academy, Professor Sophia Chan (front row, first left); Controller, Regulatory Affairs of the Department of Health, Dr Fung Ying (front row, first right); Head of Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the DH, Dr Manny Lam (second row, second left); and other participants of the meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (second left), yesterday (September 25) met with the new Head of the Secretariat of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Mr Andrew Black (second right), for an in-depth exchange on tobacco control work. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases