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A spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 28) said, "As the dengue activity in popular tourist destinations has remained high and dengue fever (DF) has been endemic in some areas, we are most concerned about the dengue risk among travellers, even when the summer vacation, a popular travel season, is about to conclude."
According to the health authority of Taiwan, there were 1 118 DF cases recorded in one week from August 18 to 24. In 2015, as of August 26, a total of 3 005 cases had been recorded, comprising 2 839 local and 166 imported cases. Among the local cases, 2 382 (84 per cent) were reported in Tainan while 408 (14 per cent) were in Kaohsiung. The number of cases in 2015 is 2.3 times that of 2014 in the corresponding period.
Regarding popular tourist attractions in Asia, 75 795 DF cases have been recorded in Malaysia so far this year, 55 428 in Thailand, 48 872 in the Philippines, 24 968 in Vietnam, 6 250 in Singapore and 151 in Japan. Turning to neighbouring areas, 30 had been recorded in Guangdong as of May 26 and two were recorded in Macau. In the Americas, 1 319 957 were filed in Brazil and 61 520 in Mexico.
Locally, the CHP reported the latest number of DF cases in Hong Kong, and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.
From August 21 to 27, three additional confirmed cases were recorded and all contracted DF while travelling or staying abroad. The patients had been in Thailand (two epidemiologically linked cases) and the Philippines (one case) during the incubation period.
As of yesterday (August 27), a total of 68 cases had been confirmed this year, comprising a local case and 67 imported cases. Of note, the number of cases recorded in August (15) is the highest compared with earlier months (from none to 13 each month) in 2015. In addition, the number of cases recorded so far this year is the highest compared with that in the corresponding period in the past 10 years (from 14 to 67 from 2005 to 2014).
"Dengue viruses encompass four different serotypes. The symptoms of first infection with one serotype are usually mild, but subsequent infections with other serotypes even years afterward are more likely to result in severe dengue, also known as dengue haemorrhagic fever. Severe dengue is serious and potentially fatal. Without proper treatment, the case fatality rate of severe dengue can exceed 20 per cent," the spokesman explained.
"According to the World Health Organization, although clinical trials on humans for some dengue vaccine candidates are ongoing, none are now available and registered with any drug regulatory authorities. Strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures hence remain the most effective means against DF both locally and during travel," the spokesman added.
Travellers are urged to stay alert to the DF risk of travel destinations before departing and take heed of the preventive measures below:
* Wear loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers, and use DEET-containing insect repellent on exposed parts of the body and clothing;
* Avoid using fragrant cosmetics or skin care products and re-apply insect repellents according to instructions in outdoor activities;
* Before the trip, arrange travel health consultation at least six weeks in advance for any extra measures against mosquito bites; and
* During the trip, carry a portable bed net and apply permethrin (an insecticide) on it in rural endemic areas. Permethrin should not be applied to the skin.
The incubation period of DF ranges from three to 14 days, commonly four to seven days. Anyone feeling unwell after returning from a trip should seek medical advice as soon as possible and provide travel details to their doctors.
Members of the public should also prevent the accumulation of stagnant water and maintain good environmental hygiene:
* Change the water in vases once a week;
* Clear the water in saucers under potted plants every week;
* Cover water containers tightly;
* Ensure air-conditioner drip trays are free of stagnant water;
* Put all used cans and bottles into covered dustbins; and
* Store food and dispose of garbage properly.
Members of the public are reminded to make reports to government departments via the hotline 1823 if mosquito problems are detected, and may visit the pages below for more information:
* The CHP's DF page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/38847.html);
* The DF page of the DH's Travel Health Service (www.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/popup/popup_dengue.html);
* The DH's latest Travel Health News (www.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/outbreaknews/outbreaknews.html);
* The CHP's tips for using insect repellents (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/38927.html);
* The CHP Facebook Page (www.fb.com/CentreforHealthProtection);
* The CHP YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/c/ChpGovHkChannel); and
* The FEHD's Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/safefood/handbook_prev_mos_breeding.html).
Ends/Friday, August 28, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:13
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