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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (February 19) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF) 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 February 12 to 18, two additional confirmed imported cases were recorded and both patients had been in Malaysia during the incubation period.
As of February 18, a total of 13 cases had been confirmed this year and all are imported cases.
The CHP has been closely monitoring the latest dengue situation in neighbouring and overseas areas. Regarding popular tourist attractions in Asia, the latest figures of 2016 revealed that 7 515 DF cases have been recorded in Thailand and 30 in Japan. A total of 3 760 cases have been recorded in Singapore since January 3, 2016, and according to the health authority of Taiwan, to date, 368 local cases have been recorded in 2016. In the Americas, the latest figures indicated that 1 649 008 cases were filed in Brazil in 2015 and 6 584 in Mexico in 2016.
"DF is transmitted to humans through the bites of infective female Aedes mosquitoes. The public are reminded to follow anti-mosquito measures when travelling to areas where DF is endemic in order to prevent DF. When a patient suffering from DF is bitten by a vector mosquito, the mosquito is infected and it may spread the disease by biting other people. In Hong Kong, the principal vector, Aedes aegypti, has not been found in recent years but Aedes albopictus is widely present so there is a risk of secondary spread of DF for imported infections," a spokesman for the CHP 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.
"At present, there is no locally registered dengue vaccine available in Hong Kong. Strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures remain the most effective means against DF both locally and during travel," the spokesman added.
Travellers are urged to be 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 during outdoor activities;
* Before the trip, arrange a travel health consultation at least six weeks in advance for any extra measures against mosquito bites;
* 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; and
* After returning from dengue endemic areas, continue to apply insect repellent for 14 days.
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 doctor.
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 Food and Environmental Hygiene Department's Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/safefood/handbook_prev_mos_breeding.html).
Ends/Friday, February 19, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:00
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