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HKFP
3 days ago
- Health
- HKFP
Hong Kong records 3 more chikungunya fever infections, as expert warns of steady increase in imported cases
Hong Kong's health authorities have recorded three more imported cases of the mosquito-borne chikungunya fever, including an elderly woman who returned from Foshan, the mainland Chinese city that has emerged as a hotspot for the virus. 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.
Time Out
3 days ago
- Health
- Time Out
Chikungunya fever in Hong Kong: What you need to know about this mosquito-borne illness
Last week, Hong Kong recorded its first case of chikungunya fever since 2019, swiftly followed by three more confirmed cases by Wednesday, August 6. The unfamiliar nature of the virus, more commonly seen in South and Southeast Asia, is giving rise to a lot of questions and concerns among Hong Kong residents fearful of an outbreak. From 2016 to 2019, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health recorded between one and 11 imported cases of chikungunya fever cases per year, with no new cases being reported in the city since then – until now, that is. Here's what you need to know about chikungunya fever, the symptoms, how to prevent it, and more. What is chikungunya fever? Chikungunya fever is a mosquito-borne illness, transmitted to humans through the bite of the female Aedes mosquitoes, which carries the virus. Aedes albopictus, also known as the Asian tiger mosquito, is common in Hong Kong and can transmit chikungunya by biting affected individuals during the early stages of infection, when the patient still carries a large amount of the virus in their blood, and passing on the virus through further bites. How did the Hong Kong patients get chikungunya fever? A 12-year-old boy was reported to be Hong Kong's first imported case of chikungunya fever since 2019. It is believed that he was infected in Foshan in Guangdong province between July 17 and 30, when he travelled to the Shunde district with his mother. Last week, the boy developed symptoms, and he was confirmed to have been infected with the chikungunya virus on Saturday, August 2, after being admitted to United Christian Hospital the previous day for treatment. His condition is now stable, the CHP reported. On Wednesday, August 6, three more cases of chikungunya fever were confirmed in Hong Kong, all of them imported cases. A 79-year-old woman started experiencing symptoms after travelling to Foshan in July, while a 55-year-old man and his 10-year-old son developed symptoms around late July and early August after travelling to Bangladesh between July 12 and August 3. Is it contagious? Fortunately, chikungunya is not contagious between humans. Dr Edwin Tsui, controller of the CHP, said in an official press release that chikungunya fever 'is not transmitted from person to person', so it cannot be caught directly from an infected patient. What are the symptoms? Once bitten by a mosquito carrying the infection, patients will develop symptoms in the span of three to seven days. Similar to dengue fever, another mosquito-borne virus, chikungunya symptoms can manifest as a fever, rashes, inflammation, and joint pain, but the effects are reported to be milder than dengue fever. Individuals with weak immunity and other pre-existing health conditions may be more severely affected by chikungunya. In most cases, symptoms begin to alleviate in about a week, but in severe cases of chikungunya fever, discomfort in the joints can last for months or even years. How is chikungunya treated? At the moment, chikungunya is treated with medication designed for relieving pain, fever, and inflammation, as there is no medicine or treatment that targets the virus specifically. Is there a vaccine? Not in Hong Kong at this time. A spokesperson for the CHP has shared that research into chikungunya vaccines is still ongoing. Wong Hoi-kei, senior medical and health officer of the CHP, said that 'chikungunya vaccines are a relatively new thing, and they have not been widely used by any country and region.' In the US, two chikungunya vaccines are on the market – however, these have not been approved for use in Hong Kong (yet). Is there likely to be an outbreak in Hong Kong? It's too early to say if the chikungunya virus has already been locally transmitted within the city, though – with the high flow of travellers to and fro mainland China – it is likely that Hong Kong may see more imported cases in the coming days and weeks, which could lead to a greater risk of local transmission. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has raised concerns about the spread of the chikungunya virus and called for urgent action to prevent an epidemic. In an official government press release, Dr Tsui comments that environments with serious mosquito infestations can also lead to a large-scale outbreak of chikungunya. Health authorities in Hong Kong are already gearing up to respond to the possibility of an increase in cases. Mosquito prevention measures are being put in place across districts, with targeted control actions being carried out at sites suspected of higher infestation risks to eliminate adult mosquitoes and mosquito breeding grounds, and remove stagnant water. How bad is the chikungunya fever situation in mainland China? Cases of chikungunya fever have surged in various places in mainland China, with Shunde district in Foshan logging a significant number – about 5,660 cases as of last week – but there have been no fatalities thus far. Foshan has recorded more than 7,000 chikungunya fever cases since July, and the outbreak is still ongoing. Experts believe that as many as 30 to 70 percent of residents in Shunde may already be infected by the chikungunya virus. Infections in 12 other cities in Guangdong province, such as Guangzhou, Zhongshan, and Dongguan, have also been reported, with Chinese authorities sharing updates that all reported cases have been mild and patients are recovering. What to do to prevent it Avoiding mosquito bites is going to be the best way to prevent potential infection, so layer up on insect repellant and DEET, and wear loose clothing that covers your arms and legs. Removing stagnant water or potential mosquito breeding grounds in your home and frequently occupied spaces will also go a long way. As there are no widely used rapid testing kits available for chikungunya fever, the CHP urges individuals who develop symptoms or have recently returned from places with notable chikungunya cases to consult a medical professional as soon as possible to aid in early identification and safeguard public health to minimise risk of local transmission.
Asia News Network
4 days ago
- Health
- Asia News Network
Hong Kong at risk of more imported cases of chikungunya: scientific committee
August 6, 2025 HONG KONG – A government scientific committee has cautioned that Hong Kong faces a high risk of further imported cases of chikungunya fever, leading to the potential risk of local transmission. The warning came on Monday when the Centre for Health Protection's Scientific Committee on Vector-borne Diseases met to review epidemiological data and prevention and control strategies for chikungunya fever in the city following to recent spike in chikungunya fever cases in multiple regions worldwide. Hong Kong recently logged its first imported case of chikungunya fever this year, involving a 12-year-old boy who returned from the Chinese mainland on July 30. He went to a private doctor in Kwun Tong before being transferred to United Christian Hospital A mosquito-borne viral disease, chikungunya cannot be transmitted from person to person. It is caused by the chikungunya virus and most commonly transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Aedes mosquitoes. It is mainly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, such as Africa, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and the Western Pacific region. During Monday's review meeting, the committee explained that mosquito infestations are likely to be aggravated in Hong Kong due to the high summer temperatures and rainfall. Besides, people travel more frequently during summer holidays to regions where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic, it added. The special administrative region government has rolled out preventive and control measures against chikungunya fever, the committee said, endorsing the measures in a consensus statement. Affirming that Hong Kong's multi-pronged approach to emergency preparedness has effectively prevented local chikungunya fever transmission to date, it said sustained implementation of the measures is crucial to address importation risks. The measures include surveillance of the situation globally and in the neighboring regions, enhancing local testing capabilities, and strengthening vector surveillance and mosquito control. The committee also agreed that prompt epidemiological investigations and vector surveys are useful. Regarding port health measures and travel advice, the committee said it shared the government's view that inspections at boundary control points should be maintained, and that health education for outgoing and returning travelers should be strengthened. Information on chikungunya fever should be provided through various channels, and the effectiveness of vaccines for the fever should be monitored, it added. On July 22, the World Health Organization issued an urgent call for action to prevent a repeat of an epidemic of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus that swept the globe two decades ago. Healthcare authorities in Guangdong and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions launched a joint campaign against chikungunya fever last month following an outbreak of the disease.
Bangkok Post
6 days ago
- Health
- Bangkok Post
Hong Kong records first imported case of chikungunya fever since 2019
Hong Kong has recorded its first imported case of chikungunya fever since 2019, involving a boy who returned from the mainland Chinese city of Foshan which is facing an outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease, the South China Morning Post has learned. A source confirmed the imported case of the chikungunya infection on Saturday, weeks after a surge in cases of the disease was identified in Guangdong. About 6,100 cases have been recorded in the province so far, with about 90% of patients concentrated in Foshan's Shunde district. The boy had been staying in Shunde for almost two weeks before returning to Hong Kong, according to a source. Infectious disease expert Yuen Kwok-yung said the 12-year-old boy travelled to Foshan for 14 days and developed a fever soon after returning to Hong Kong. He also had a rash and joint pain, and was admitted to United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tung, Yuen said. The boy's blood tested positive at the Centre for Health Protection, Yuen said, adding the patient had been transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital in Lai Chi Kok for mild conditions. "Everyone who comes back with any fever, joint pain or rash should be tested so that anti-mosquito work can be started around their homes and workplaces," he said. "All cargo from endemic areas should be inspected and anti-mosquito work done at cargo areas." Yuen said implementing proper anti-mosquito measures at cargo places and patients' residences or workplaces could prevent the virus from gaining a foothold in the city, adding that the efforts required the cooperation of residents and authorities. Health authorities are expected to announce more details later on Saturday. In Macau, six imported cases of chikungunya fever had been recorded since mid-July, four of which involved travel to Foshan during the incubation periods. Chinese Vice-Premier Liu Guozhong visited the southern city of Foshan in Guangdong province, urging residents to "strictly implement port health quarantine measures", according to state news agency Xinhua on Friday. During his trip to Guangdong, Liu told authorities to "improve prevention and control measures", "effectively eliminate mosquitoes" and halt the disease's "spread channels". Chikungunya fever is spread by Aedes albopictus mosquito bites, with cases typically developing fever and joint pain that can last for a long period. Other potential symptoms include muscle pain, nausea and rashes. It shares similar symptoms of dengue fever, another mosquito-borne disease, with one marked difference being that patients with the former often developed joint pain. Infectious disease expert Yuen warned earlier that any potential outbreak in the city could be on a large scale, due to weak immunity levels among the population. "After being infected, some people mistakenly believe they'll feel better in a few days, but that's not the case. The joint inflammation and swelling can persist for more than three months in about 40 per cent of patients," he said last week. Hong Kong last recorded cases of chikungunya fever in 2019, with the tally reaching 11 patients. The city also reported two cases in 2018, one in 2017 and eight in 2016. All cases between 2016 and 2019 were imported. The World Health Organization earlier issued an urgent call for action against chikungunya fever as the virus had been affecting other parts of the world, including Reunion Island, Madagascar, Kenya and India. Europe has also seen a growing number of imported cases and some local transmission. The word "chikungunya" comes from the east African language Kimakonde and means "to become contorted". It has been used to describe the stooped appearance of infected patients suffering from joint pain. The virus was first identified in 1952 in Tanzania. It then spread to other sub-Saharan countries and Southeast Asia. It has been reported in more than 110 countries, according to the WHO.
HKFP
01-08-2025
- Health
- HKFP
Chikungunya fever poses ‘medium to high risk' of local transmission, warns Hong Kong health official
The mosquito-borne chikungunya fever poses a 'medium to high risk' of local transmission in Hong Kong, as thousands of cases were reported in the neighbouring Guangdong province, a city health official has warned. Albert Au, head of the Communicable Disease Branch of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), said on an RTHK radio show on Thursday that Guangdong province had seen a 'localised outbreak' of chikungunya fever over the past few weeks following some imported cases. Based on the CHP's communication with Guangdong authorities, the southern Chinese province has logged around 6,100 cases so far, Au said. About 90 per cent of the cases were recorded in Foshan, but other cities such as Guangzhou, Zhongshan, and Dongguan have reported cases too, he added. While Hong Kong has not recorded any cases so far, authorities are 'on high alert,' Au said. 'It is a time for summer holidays, and Hongkongers love to travel to Guangdong province. With frequent travel, there is a high risk of imported cases,' the health official said. 'Hong Kong has more mosquitoes during summer,' he added. 'So if there are imported cases, there is a medium to high risk that it will lead to local transmission.' According to the CHP, chikungunya fever is most commonly transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Aedes mosquitoes. While the vector Aedes aegypti is not found in Hong Kong, Aedes albopictus, another species that can also spread the disease, is commonly found in the city. Chikungunya fever causes rare fatalities, and its symptoms are milder than those of dengue fever, another mosquito-borne disease. However, chikungunya fever carries a higher transmission potential than dengue fever, Au said. Mosquito control measures Meanwhile, the Housing Department has stepped up measures to prevent and control mosquitoes in public housing estates in Hong Kong due to the chikungunya outbreak in Guangdong. According to a statement on Thursday, the department is conducting fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes and has taken measures such as removing stagnant water and water-holding containers and keeping drains clear of blockages to prevent water accumulation.
