Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CHP recorded another locally acquired case of chikungunya fever
Latest case information
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The case involves a 45-year-old male living in Kwai Tsing District and working in Sheung Wan. A preliminary investigation revealed that he developed a fever, joint pain and rash on October 30. He sought medical attention at a private doctor on November 1. He was referred to the Accident and Emergency Department of the Princess Margaret Hospital and was admitted for treatment in a mosquito-free environment on the same day. He is in stable condition now. His blood sample tested positive for chikungunya virus upon laboratory testing. A preliminary investigation revealed that the patient had no travel history in the preceding three months (including the incubation period prior to onset). The case is classified as a local case.
The investigation also revealed that the patient did not visit Wong Tai Sin during the incubation period (i.e., the location of infection for the other two locally acquired cases this year). However, there is an overlap in the patient’s residence and usual activity areas with individual imported cases. The CHP will carry out genome analysis to ascertain whether it has epidemiological linkage with the imported cases confirmed in Hong Kong earlier. Investigation is ongoing.
Government’s comprehensive follow-up actions
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In response to the new local case, the CHP today has conducted inter-departmental meeting with various departments and relevant organisations, including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and Kwai Tsing District Office (KTDO), to ensure that all units implement various preventive and control measures in a speedy and orderly manner. The CHP, together with the FEHD, have inspected various locations in the vicinity of patient’s residence, conducted vector investigations and mosquito control operations to minimise the risk of local transmission.
The CHP is implementing prevention and control measures according to epidemiological investigations and risk assessment, including providing medical surveillance and health advice to five household contacts of the case or those with common exposure to the source of infection. So far, they are all asymptomatic. If necessary, the CHP will arrange for laboratory testing.
The CHP will organise an online live seminar
The CHP will again issue letters to doctors, hospitals, schools and institutions, providing the latest information on CF and reminding them to be vigilant. If there is any suspected CF cases, they should contact the CHP for follow up immediately.
The 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 case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:
The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.
As of 5pm today, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 55 confirmed CF cases this year, including three local cases and the rest are imported cases.
Preventive measures taken by the public
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Severe symptoms and deaths caused by CF are extremely rare, with a mortality rate of less than one in 1 000. The occurrence of severe complications is mostly related to the patients’ underlying health conditions. Elderly persons (particularly those aged 65 or above), young children (particularly infants under 1 year old), pregnant women and persons with chronic illnesses (such as hypertension, diabetes or heart disease) are at higher risk of developing complications after contracting CF and may require a longer recovery period. Therefore, members of the public (especially the abovementioned high-risk groups) are advised to seek medical advice promptly if they develop relevant symptoms, particularly a fever, sudden severe joint pain and skin rash, after visiting areas affected by CF.
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:
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 CHPIssued at HKT 22:52
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