Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 17) investigating a locally acquired case of chikungunya fever (CF), and is working with various government departments to implement appropriate prevention and control measures to reduce the risk of local transmission. The CHP reminded the public to stay vigilant and take proper mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and when travelling. Avoiding mosquito bites and eliminating mosquito breeding sites are effective ways to prevent CF.
Case details
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The case involves a 55-year-old woman who lives on Li Tak Street in Tai Kok Tsui. Preliminary investigation revealed that she developed a fever, headache, and pain in her fingers and wrists joints on September 7, followed by a rash on her face and body. She sought medical attention at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on September 16, and was admitted on the same day for treatment in a mosquito-free environment. She is currently in stable condition. Her blood sample tested positive for CF upon laboratory testing by the CHP’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch.
Preliminary investigation also revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period (August 26 to September 5), and the case was classified as a local case. She remained at home for most of the incubation period and frequently had activities in the vicinity of her residence. To the best of her recollection, she had mosquito bites at her residence and in the areas around Cherry Street Park and Lok Kwan Street Park. She has a household contact who remains asymptomatic to date. The CHP has implemented prevention and control measures according to epidemiological investigations and risk assessment, including providing medical surveillance and health advice to her household contact. If necessary, the CHP will arrange for laboratory testing. The epidemiological investigation is ongoing.
Taking into account the above case, Hong Kong has recorded three confirmed CF cases this year to date, including one local case and two imported cases. Last year, 82 confirmed CF cases were recorded, including 11 local cases, and the rest were imported cases.
Government’s comprehensive follow-up actions
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The DH is conducting comprehensive follow-up actions in collaboration with relevant departments, including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Yau Tsim Mong District Office (YTMDO), and District Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams). Officers from the CHP and the FEHD have conducted site inspections, vector investigations, and mosquito control measures in the vicinity of patient’s residence. The CHP has also set up a hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates until 8pm today, and from 9am to 6pm starting tomorrow (September 18). The CHP appealed to 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 seek medical advice, or contact the CHP promptly if they have developed a fever, rash or joint pain since August 1. As a precautionary measure, the CHP will set up a health consultation booth on the ground floor of the Tai Kok Tsui Municipal Services Building, 63 Fuk Tsun Street, Tai Kok Tsui, starting from tomorrow, to provide health assessments for members of the public with relevant symptoms. The service hours of the health consultation booth is 10am to 5pm.
The CHP staff and the Care Teams in the district are now actively reaching out to the residents in the area concerned to assess and monitor their health conditions, and to educate them the symptoms of CF. The CHP will jointly organise a health talk in collaboration with the YTMDO at C.C.C. Kei Tsun Primary School on 150 Tai Kok Tsui Road, aiming to raise public awareness of how to prevent mosquito-borne diseases and encourage people to participate in prevention and control measures to protect themselves and others.
The CHP will also send a letter to all doctors, hospitals, schools and institutions in Hong Kong, explaining the latest situation regarding CF and reminding them to remain vigilant. If there are any suspected cases, they should immediately notify the CHP for follow-up.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
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According to the World Health Organization, 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. As of August 31, the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration reported that Guangdong Province had recorded 739 CF cases in 2026. Of those cases, 496 were recorded in August, which is a substantial increase from the 36 and 171 cases recorded in June and July respectively.
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 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.