Latest news with #YuenKwok-yung
Bangkok Post
04-08-2025
- 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.
The Star
26-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Stay alert for chikungunya fever threat, leading expert tells Hongkongers
Hongkongers should remain vigilant against chikungunya fever, leading expert Yuen Kwok-yung has said, stressing that the mosquito-borne disease could cause prolonged and severe joint pain due to weak immunity levels among the population. Yuen, chair of infectious diseases at the University of Hong Kong's department of microbiology, issued the warning on Thursday following recent outbreaks in mainland China, including 3,000 cases reported in Guangdong province's Foshan city. While the last chikungunya fever cases registered in Hong Kong were in 2019, Yuen said that any potential outbreak in the city could be on a large scale. 'Any outbreak could be major because we have no immunity, so we should not take it lightly,' he told a radio programme. 'Normally, you might only experience a fever, rash and swollen joints. Most people will be fine, but you must not forget that if you have a chronic illness, it can be very serious to those who are very old or very young. 'It can affect your brain and cause inflammation of the retina or even retinal detachment. It can also impact the heart.' Yuen pointed to the recent surge in cases in Foshan, where the number of infections had increased from 478 on July 15 to more than 2,500 just seven days later. Mainland authorities reported on Wednesday that the caseload in Foshan had jumped to 3,000, with most of them being logged in the Shunde district. The World Health Organization on Tuesday also issued an urgent call for action against chikungunya fever as the virus had been affecting other parts of the world, including Réunion Island, Madagascar, Kenya and India. Europe has also seen a growing number of imported cases and some local transmission. 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. '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,' Yuen said. 'For some, these symptoms can even last for years, leading to premature joint degeneration. The name 'chikungunya' itself comes from an African language and means 'to become contorted', which describes how the intense joint pain can cause people to hunch over. This is why everyone should take the disease seriously.' He urged residents returning from affected areas to seek medical attention immediately if they developed a fever, to be tested for the chikungunya virus, and to apply mosquito repellents with Deet. Infectious disease specialist Dr Joseph Tsang Kay-yan also warned that the joint pain from chikungunya fever was not limited to the period of illness. 'Even after the fever subsides, this pain can persist for weeks, months or even years, which can be considered a long-term after-effect,' he told a separate radio show. 'Sometimes, there's a chance that long-term use of painkillers will be needed to reduce inflammation and pain.' Tsang warned that the risk was indeed higher for the elderly and stressed that complacency was not an option when it came to older people, newborns and those with chronic illnesses, as they were considered special groups who could face complications. 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. Lee Ming-wai, pest control officer in-charge at the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, said authorities were monitoring the Aedes albopictus index through gravid traps. He added that the index during June's peak mosquito season was similar to that of the previous few years. 'The department will continue to monitor the situation at boundary control points using these traps, and will intensify mosquito extermination efforts if Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are detected,' Lee said. 'The department will promote a citywide mosquito eradication campaign to clear stagnant water and reduce mosquito infestation.' - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
RTHK
24-07-2025
- Health
- RTHK
HK likely to see imported Chikungunya cases: experts
HK likely to see imported Chikungunya cases: experts Yuen Kwok-yung says he expects there will be imported Chikungunya cases in Hong Kong. Photo Courtesy of Commercial Radio. Hong Kong might see imported cases of Chikungunya fever, infectious disease experts warned on Thursday. The World Health Organisation has called for urgent action to prevent the mosquito-borne disease, with more than 220,000 infections recorded this year around the world. There have been at least 3,000 in Foshan in Guangdong, mostly in the Shunde district, while Macau has recorded two imported cases. Dr Joseph Tsang told an RTHK radio show that Chikungunya fever can lead to serious joint pain that can last for years. However, he said compared to dengue fever – another mosquito-borne viral disease – Chikungunya is less deadly and less likely to trigger complications. "Because dengue fever can lower the platelet count, as such, it is more likely to cause bleeding. Therefore, there is a higher chance that it will lead to complications, shock, or develop into a serious case," he said. "As for Chikungunya fever, it will less likely trigger encephalitis or myocarditis. So the fatality rate and the chance of serious cases in dengue fever seems to be higher." The doctor said given the number of infections in Shunde and frequent cross-border travel, it is "inevitable" that Hong Kong will see some imported cases. He added that theoretically, Hong Kong might also see an outbreak of its own. Microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung also said he expects to see imported cases in Hong Kong. "If people return from an epidemic area and have fever, they should see a doctor immediately to check for Chikungunya fever. Because genetic tests can check for the virus in the blood," he told reporters after a Commercial Radio show. "If there is [an infection], mosquito control work can be carried out near the patient's home, and the patient also needs to put on repellent – DEET. These [measures] can break the chain of infection, so there won't be an outbreak in Hong Kong." Yuen added that it is crucial for the SAR to take action to control mosquito numbers.
South China Morning Post
12-02-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong uses DNA to probe suspected E coli cluster after doctor's death
Hong Kong authorities are using advanced genome sequencing to see whether separate infections or underlying factors contributed to the death of a young oncologist after a suspected outbreak of a highly toxic E coli strain at a hospital where two other doctors have also presented symptoms. One of the experts involved in the investigation said on Wednesday that authorities had not ruled out any possibilities about the cases in the oncology department at Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung. An oncologist in his thirties died on Friday last week, less than 24 hours after being admitted to hospital. The doctor showed signs of severe infection, low blood oxygen levels and high fever, which required him to be intubated and transferred to the intensive care unit. Authorities have indicated the cluster may be an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E coli , although testing has been inconclusive. 'We are not ruling out any possibilities,' Professor Yuen Kwok-yung, chair of infectious diseases at the University of Hong Kong's department of microbiology, said on a radio show.
