Health officials in Hong Kong have confirmed the first locally transmitted chikungunya fever case this year in the Wong Tai Sin District, prompting immediate mosquito control measures.
The Centre for Health Protection announced Sunday that an elderly woman from Fung Tak Estate in Diamond Hill has been infected, though she remains in stable condition. The district’s mosquito activity is currently considered relatively low.
Dr. Edwin Tsui, the centre’s controller, warned that even small mosquito populations could potentially spread the disease. “While we have discovered the first case, it’s possible that additional undetected cases exist,” Tsui told local media.
Health authorities plan to conduct active case tracing and will monitor the area for approximately two weeks. A cross-departmental meeting is scheduled to discuss broader mosquito control strategies across Hong Kong.
Tsui emphasized that serious complications from chikungunya fever are rare, affecting less than one in 1,000 patients. An educational seminar is planned for Monday night at Fung Tak Estate to inform residents about the disease and prevention methods.
The public has been urged to report potential infections and take preventive measures against mosquito breeding.
