Health officials reported three additional imported cases of chikungunya fever on Wednesday, raising the city’s total to four this year, according to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP). The cases, linked to recent travel to Foshan, China, and Bangladesh, highlight growing concerns about the mosquito-borne virus amid regional outbreaks.
The latest cases involve a 79-year-old woman from Southern District, a 55-year-old man, and his 10-year-old son from Kwai Tsing. The woman, who traveled to Foshan in Guangdong province last month, developed fever and joint pain on Monday and sought treatment at Queen Mary Hospital the following day. She could not recall being bitten by mosquitoes during her trip. Foshan, notably, has reported thousands of chikungunya cases in a recent outbreak.
The father and son had recently returned from Bangladesh, where the boy reported mosquito bites, though his father was unsure if he had been bitten. Both are in stable condition, as is the woman. The CHP also noted that Hong Kong’s first chikungunya case this year, a 12-year-old boy, had also visited Foshan, underscoring the city’s role as a source of imported infections.
Chikungunya, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, causes fever, severe joint pain, and occasionally rashes, with symptoms typically lasting a week but joint discomfort persisting in some cases. While rarely fatal, the virus can be debilitating, particularly for older patients.
The CHP emphasized vigilance, urging the public to adopt strict mosquito prevention measures both locally and abroad. “Avoiding mosquito bites and preventing mosquito breeding are the most effective ways to curb chikungunya fever,” the agency said in a statement. Recommended precautions include using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves, and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed.
In response to the new cases, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced intensified mosquito control efforts, targeting the patients’ residences and areas they visited after symptom onset. These measures aim to reduce the risk of local transmission, though no locally acquired cases have been reported in Hong Kong this year.
The CHP said it would closely monitor the situation, particularly given the regional outbreaks. Foshan’s ongoing epidemic and chikungunya’s prevalence in parts of South Asia, including Bangladesh, have heightened concerns about imported cases. Travelers are advised to take extra precautions in affected areas.
Health officials continue to stress environmental hygiene, with the CHP reinforcing its public awareness campaign to curb the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. As Hong Kong navigates this uptick in cases, authorities remain on alert to prevent the virus from gaining a foothold locally.
