HK, Macau & Guangdong in joint anti-mosquito campaign
The Centre for Health Protection said it will take appropriate preventive and control measures to prevent the spread of Chikungunya fever in Hong Kong. File photo: RTHK
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) on Tuesday said it is working closely with health authorities in Macau and Guangdong to fight the spread of Chikungunya fever.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 220,000 cases had been recorded in 14 countries and regions, including about 80 fatal ones, as of early June.
The Foshan Municipal Health Bureau announced that, as of last Sunday, there had been 2,285 confirmed cases there. Most cases were found in Shunde District. All cases were mild.
The controller of the CHP, Edwin Tsui, said the SAR stayed informed with the latest development of the mosquito-borne disease in Guangdong province.
Macau, meanwhile, recorded its first case of Chikungunya fever on Friday. It was classified as an imported case.
'Although no confirmed Chikungunya fever cases have been recorded in Hong Kong so far this year, higher temperatures and rainfall in summer are expected to aggravate mosquito infestation in Hong Kong. Additionally, people travel more frequently during the summer holidays, including to regions where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic," Tsui said.
'Consequently, there is an increased risk of imported cases and local transmission of mosquito-borne diseases, such as Chikungunya fever and dengue fever. Members of the public are advised to take protection measures against mosquitoes, whether they're here or travelling outside of Hong Kong."
Tsui said inspections have been stepped up at border control points to ensure good environmental hygiene, and temperature checks are conducted for inbound travellers.
Travellers with fever will be referred to hospitals when necessary.
The CHP will also provide the latest disease information and health advice to the tourism sector and airlines.
The centre has issued a letter to all doctors and hospitals in Hong Kong to provide them with the latest epidemiological information. Doctors are urged to watch out for Chikungunya fever-related symptoms among people who return to Hong Kong from outbound travel, and to report cases to the Department of Health.
An interdepartmental steering committee will hold a meeting on Wednesday to review the latest situation and anti-mosquito work of various departments.
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