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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) received notification today (February 23) of two additional imported cases of Zika Virus Infection in the Mainland from the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), 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 NHFPC, the two cases involved a father and his son. The father, aged 38 from Yiwu, Zhejiang, developed fever and skin rash on February 21 and his son aged 9 presented with headache on February 16 and developed skin rash on February 21. The two cases were confirmed by the health authorities in Zhejiang today. The two patients are now hospitalised for isolation and management in Yiwu.
Enquiries revealed that the two male patients were the travel collaterals of the 38-year-old male patient who was the third imported case of Zika virus in the Mainland. They travelled to Fiji and Samoa in a tour group on February 2 and returned to the Mainland via Hong Kong on February 14. The third case was laboratory confirmed on February 19.
The DH's Port Health Office (PHO) has followed up with the airline concerned on necessary disinsection and vector control measures. Port Health Inspectors (PHIs) will conduct follow-up inspection when the aircraft concerned next arrives in Hong Kong.
The DH's PHO has stepped up inspection at the Boundary Control Points (BCPs) and the airport to maintain strict environmental hygiene with effective mosquito control. PHIs have reinforced training for contractors of BCPs, including the airport, harbour ports and ground crossings, on port hygiene and pest control for effective vector prevention. Health promotion in BCPs has been enhanced through pamphlets and posters to alert travellers to necessary measures against Zika.
"Routine health surveillance on the body temperature of inbound travellers at all BCPs is ongoing. Suspected cases will be referred to healthcare facilities for follow-up. However, at present, around 70 to 80 per cent of infected people are asymptomatic and most can recover fully. Therefore, we again urge those arriving from Zika-affected areas to apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival to reduce the risk of transmission," the spokesman added.
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 on the latest disease information and health advice.
As long as there is international travel, there is always a 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 countries and areas with reported autochthonous Zika virus transmission or locally acquired infection and those 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 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 the 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 case was reported.
The public may visit the pages below for more disease information and health advice:
* The CHP's Zika 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/Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Issued at HKT 20:11
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