Hong Kong records 3 more chikungunya fever infections, as expert warns of steady increase in imported cases
The three new cases were reported by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) on Wednesday evening, bringing the total in Hong Kong to four.
Among them was a 79-year-old woman living in Southern District. She developed a fever and joint pain on Monday and was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital the next day, where she is in stable condition.
The patient travelled to Foshan, in nearby Guangdong province, to visit relatives in July, but did not recall getting bitten by mosquitoes there. As she stayed in Foshan for most of the incubation period, the CHP considered that she was infected while travelling.
The other two cases reported on Wednesday involved a 55-year-old man and his son, aged 10, living in Kwai Tsing. They travelled to Bangladesh between July 12 and August 3, and both developed fever and joint pain while they were still abroad.
Both are now in Princess Margaret Hospital and are in stable condition. Their household contacts are currently asymptomatic and are under medical surveillance.
Hong Kong's first imported case of the virus was reported last Saturday, involving a 12-year-old boy who returned from Foshan last month. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has taken mosquito extermination and prevention measures near the patients' homes and other places they have visited.
Health authorities in Foshan, Guangdong province have recorded more than 7,000 confirmed cases.
More infections expected
The Head of the Communicable Disease Branch of the CHP, Albert Au, reminded members of the public to adopt precautions against mosquito-borne diseases in this rainy season.
And speaking on RTHK on Thursday, infectious disease expert Joseph Tsang said more infections could be expected given the 'frequent exchanges' between Hong Kong and Guangdong.
'Chikungunya fever hasn't become endemic, but whether it will become unstoppable in the future depends on future developments,' Tsang said in Cantonese.
Tsang, who is co-chair of the Hong Kong Medical Association's advisory committee on communicable diseases, also said residents should refrain from visiting high-risk areas and not just rely on authorities' control measures. The mosquito-borne virus should not be underestimated, he added, as it could leave patients with chronic arthritis.
According to the CHP, Hong Kong saw between one and 11 chikungunya infections each year from 2016 to 2019.
The FEHD has urged residents to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures including changing water in vases, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes.
Separately, microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung, who advised the Hong Kong government's Covid-19 response during the pandemic, told local media that the infections were within expectations given the number of people in Hong Kong who travel to mainland China for holiday.
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