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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) received notification tonight (February 15) of the second imported case of Zika Virus Infection in the Mainland from the National Health and Family Planning Commission and the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province, and again urged the public, particularly pregnant women, those planning pregnancy and immunocompromised patients, to adopt strict anti-mosquito measures during travel.
According to the health authorities in the Mainland, the male patient aged 28 from Jiangmen, Guangdong, works in Venezuela. He departed Venezuela for Guangdong on February 9 and developed fever and skin rash during the journey. Upon his arrival at Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou on February 12, his condition was discovered by the local Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau and he was then hospitalised for isolation and management. The case was laboratory confirmed by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention on February 15. At present, he was afebrile with skin rash subsided. The patient did not pass through Hong Kong.
"We again urge those arriving from Zika-affected areas to apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival to reduce the risk of transmission. Routine health surveillance on body temperature of inbound travellers at all BCPs is ongoing. Suspected cases will be referred to healthcare facilities for follow-up. Health promotion in BCPs have been enhanced through pamphlets and posters to alert travellers to necessary measures against Zika," a spokesman for the DH said.
The DH has been closely working with the travel industry and stakeholders, especially agents operating tours in Zika-affected areas and personnel receiving travellers in those areas (particularly pregnant women), to regularly update them of the latest disease information and health advice.
As long as there is international travel, there is always risk of introduction of Zika virus to Hong Kong. As asymptomatic infection is very common and the potential vector, Aedes albopictus, is present locally, there is also risk of local spread in case Zika is introduced to Hong Kong. The public should pay special attention to the 34 countries and areas with reported autochthonous Zika virus transmission or locally acquired infection, and six with indication of viral circulation earlier announced by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The DH has been maintaining close liaison with the WHO as well as overseas, neighbouring and the Mainland health authorities to closely monitor the latest developments of Zika.
Locally, no human Zika cases have been reported to the CHP to date.
To prevent Zika Virus Infection, in addition to general anti-mosquito measures, the DH drew the public's attention to special notes below:
(A) Travelling abroad
* If going to areas with ongoing Zika transmission (affected areas), travellers, especially those with immune disorders or severe chronic illnesses, should arrange consultation with a doctor at least six weeks before the trip, and take extra preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites;
* Those arriving from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival. If feeling unwell, e.g. having fever, they should seek medical advice as soon as possible, and provide travel details to a doctor;
(B) Pregnant women and those preparing for pregnancy
* Pregnant women and those preparing for pregnancy should consider deferring their trip to affected areas. Those who must travel should seek medical advice from their doctor before the trip, adopt contraception if appropriate, strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip, and consult and reveal their travel history to their doctor if symptoms develop after the trip. Women preparing for pregnancy are advised to continue to adopt contraception for 28 days after returning from these areas; and
(C) Prevention of sexual transmission
* If a female partner is at risk of getting pregnant or is already pregnant, condom use is advised for a male traveller:
(i) For 28 days after his return from affected areas if he had no symptoms of unexplained fever and rash; or
(ii) For six months following recovery if a clinical illness compatible with Zika or laboratory confirmed Zika Virus Infection was reported.
The public may visit the pages below for more disease information and health advice:
* The CHP's Zika Virus Infection page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/43086.html);
* The Zika page of the DH's Travel Health Service (www.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/popup/popup_zika.html);
* The Outbound Travel Alert page of the Security Bureau (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota); and
* Anti-mosquito precautions for women (www.fhs.gov.hk/english/health_info/woman/30014.html).
Ends/Monday, February 15, 2016
Issued at HKT 23:38
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