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The Consultant Community Medicine (Communicable Disease) of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, announced this evening (December 3) the investigation into a confirmed local case of dengue fever (DF), and hence again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.
The male patient, aged 54 with good past health, has developed fever, rash, headache, myalgia and arthralgia since November 29. He consulted a private doctor in North Point on November 30. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Ruttonjee Hospital (RH) on December 1 but no hospitalisation was required.
His blood specimen tested positive for dengue virus NS1 antigen and dengue virus serotype 1 nucleic acid upon testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch. The patient has been in stable condition all along and will be admitted to RH tonight.
Initial enquiries revealed that the patient lives in a private building on Wing Hing Street, North Point, and has no travel history during incubation period. He worked in the same work site near Tai Shui Hang Village, Sha Tin, as the previous DF case announced on November 2 who also tested positive for dengue virus serotype 1. He recalled mosquito bites at the work site.
His home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far and have been put under medical surveillance.
"The CHP immediately commenced epidemiological investigations and promptly informed the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) for vector investigation and mosquito control. The CHP's investigations and health education in the vicinity where the patient frequented are proceeding," Dr Chuang said.
Officers of the CHP will conduct site visit and field investigation by questionnaire surveys at the patient's residence and workplace for active case finding and arranging blood tests.
Persons who have been to the vicinity of Wing Hing Street, North Point, and Tai Shui Hang Village, Sha Tin, with DF symptoms should call the CHP's DF hotline (2125 1133) for laboratory investigation or referral to hospital as appropriate. It will operate until 9pm tonight and from 9am to 6pm tomorrow (December 4).
A joint health talk with the FEHD was held at 7.30pm today in Causeway Bay Community Centre, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay, to deliver health advice to residents and the public.
To date, 110 DF cases have been confirmed this year, comprising two local (including this case), 106 imported, one unclassified and one case under investigation. Of note, the number of cases recorded so far in 2015 is the highest when compared with corresponding periods in the past decade, from 27 to 109 from 2005 to 2014. In 2014, there were three local and 109 imported cases. In 2013, 103 cases were filed and all were imported.
"We will issue letters to doctors and private hospitals to alert them to the case. We will also enhance the surveillance of suspected DF cases in collaboration with public hospitals under the Hospital Authority, private hospitals and private doctors. Early referral and prompt control are critical to prevent further local spread of DF," Dr Chuang said.
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.
As there is no dengue vaccine now available and locally registered, strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures remain the most effective means against DF both locally and during travel.
Travellers are urged to stay alert to the dengue 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/Thursday, December 3, 2015
Issued at HKT 20:02
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