CHP Warns of Rising Dengue and Chikungunya Cases Amidst Continued Mosquito Breeding Conditions

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

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 16) announced the latest situation regarding dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya fever (CF). Although Hong Kong has entered autumn, the weather has yet to cool down and there are occasional showers, which is favourable 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 October 9 to yesterday (October 15), the CHP recorded one imported DF case. The patient had visited Cambodia during the incubation period.

Hong Kong has recorded 34 DF cases so far this year, comprising 32 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 1 100 DF-related deaths have been recorded globally.

DF has long been prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations. So far this year, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam each recorded over 100 000 cases; Indonesia recorded over 80 000 cases; Malaysia recorded over 70 000 cases; and Singapore recorded over 2 600 cases. Meanwhile, according to the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration, as of September, Guangdong Province has recorded 586 cases this year, of which 155 were recorded in September alone.

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 October 9 to yesterday, the CHP recorded two imported CF cases, involving two males, aged 17 and 64 respectively. Both patients had visited the Chinese Mainland during the incubation period. The CHP considers that both patients were infected during travel. Both cases were classified as imported. They were admitted to hospital for treatment in a mosquito-free environment. The 17-year-old patient has recovered and been discharged, while the 64-year-old patient is currently in stable condition. The CHP's epidemiological investigation is ongoing. Both cases have been reported to the Chinese Mainland health authority.

Hong Kong has recorded seven confirmed CF cases so far this year, including six 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.

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, Guangdong Province has recorded 1 753 cases this year (as of September). Among them, 1 014 were recorded in September, a sharp increase compared to the number of cases recorded from June to August (36 to 496 cases).

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 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.

The Centre for Health Protection. Photo source: reference image

Woman sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment for smuggling dried shark fins

A 29-year-old Chinese woman, who smuggled dried shark fins into Hong Kong, was convicted at the District Court today (October 16) for violating the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) (the Ordinance) and sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment.

A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that the passenger arrived at Hong Kong International Airport from Brazil via Ethiopia on March 22 this year. Upon inspection of her luggage by Customs officers, a batch of suspected scheduleddried shark fins was found inside the luggage. AFCD officers subsequently attended the scene, examined the specimens and confirmed that they were scheduleddried shark fins, weighing a total of about 52 kilograms, with an estimated market value of about $200,000. The woman was prosecuted by the AFCD for illegal import of specimens of endangered species. She was convicted at the District Court today, and the court adopted a starting point of 15 months' imprisonment for sentencing. With a one-third reduction given for her guilty plea, the defendant was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment.

Some shark and ray species are listed in the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and are regulated under the Ordinance in Hong Kong. Any person who imports, exports or possesses specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years with the specimens forfeited.

The spokesman said, "The Government is committed to protecting endangered species. The AFCD and Hong Kong Customs will remain vigilant and continue to monitor and combat illegal activities involving endangered species."

Members of the public may call 1823 to report any suspected irregularities to the AFCD and visit the AFCD website at www.cites.hk for information on the control of endangered species in Hong Kong.

A 29-year-old Chinese woman, who smuggled dried shark fins into Hong Kong, was convicted at the District Court today (October 16) for violating the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) and sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment. Photo shows the dried shark fins found in the woman's luggage. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases