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South China Morning Post
17-07-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong at risk of imported cases of mosquito-borne Chikungunya fever: experts
Hong Kong is at risk of imported cases of a locally uncommon mosquito-borne disease after neighbouring Guangdong province recently experienced an outbreak, health authorities and experts have warned. Advertisement Experts on Thursday discussed the possibility of an outbreak in the city just a day after the Centre for Health Protection urged the public to be vigilant against Chikungunya fever, a mosquito-borne disease that can cause joint pain. Over the border, the number of confirmed cases in Shunde, a district of Guangdong's Foshan city, reached 478 as of Tuesday. All the patients have mild symptoms, with most of the cases being recorded in the towns of Lecong, Beijiao and Chencun. Chikungunya fever is spread by mosquito bites, with cases typically developing fever and serious joint pain that can last for months or even years. Other potential symptoms include muscle pain, nausea and rashes. 'While the outbreaks are not in towns popular among Hongkongers … the frequent travel between Guangdong and Hong Kong means the risk of seeing imported cases has increased,' Dr Wong Hoi-kei, a senior medical and health officer from the centre, told a radio show. Advertisement Dr Joseph Tsang Kay-yan, an infectious diseases specialist, said he believed it was possible that Hong Kong could see imported cases that could then lead to sporadic infections. He also noted that chikungunya fever and dengue fever, another mosquito-borne disease, had similar symptoms, with one marked difference being that patients with the former often developed joint pain.
RTHK
17-07-2025
- Health
- RTHK
Guangdong outbreak gives bite to anti-mossie warning
Guangdong outbreak gives bite to anti-mossie warning Wong Hoi-kei said that while Hong Kong has seen no Chikungunya cases in the past five years, the risk of imported infections remains due to frequent regional travel. Photo: RTHK An epidemiologist on Thursday is urging the public to take anti-mosquito precautions, especially during hot and rainy weather, following an outbreak in July of a mosquito-borne disease in Shunde, Guangdong, caused by imported cases The Centre for Health Protection reported on Wednesday that more than 220,000 cases of Chikungunya fever have been recorded globally across 14 countries and regions, including approximately 80 fatalities, as of early June. Speaking on an RTHK radio programme, Wong Hoi-kei from the centre said that while Hong Kong has seen no Chikungunya cases in the past five years, the risk of imported infections remains due to frequent regional travel. He said authorities will implement comprehensive monitoring and control measures. "We urge everyone, especially now as students finish their exams and schools are on summer break, to be cautious since many may travel to various places worldwide," Wong said. "There are cases of mosquito-borne diseases globally, not just Chikungunya fever, so it's important to prevent mosquito bites and take preventive measures." "To prevent these mosquito-borne diseases, you should use insect repellent and wear loose, light-coloured clothing." He also stressed the importance of draining stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed. Wong further recommended that people feeling unwell after returning from a trip should seek prompt medical attention and inform their doctor of their travel history. He said Chikungunya fever – which can be transmitted to humans through bites from infected Asian tiger mosquitoes, a common species in Hong Kong – has symptoms similar to dengue fever that include rashes and fever. "Some infected individuals may experience severe joint pains, leading to significant physical discomfort," Wong said. "Generally, symptoms may last for a few days [after which] most healthy individuals can see a noticeable improvement." Wong said there is currently no vaccine for the disease.
