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The Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), Dr Leung Ting-hung, today (February 26) welcomed the recommendations of the CHP's Scientific Committee on Vector-borne Diseases (SCVBD) on the strategy for prevention and control of Zika Virus Infection.
"Public health actions put in place by the DH so far are in line with recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and are necessary in guarding Hong Kong against Zika," said the Chairman of the SCVBD, Professor John Simon, in a briefing today.
Professor Simon chaired a meeting of the SCVBD this afternoon with experts in infectious diseases, microbiology, public health and vector control to examine the epidemiology of Zika in the light of emerging scientific findings and to review current local prevention and control measures.
The SCVBD noted that the geographical distribution of Zika virus has steadily expanded due to global warming, urbanisation and globalisation. Major epidemics may occur globally wherever there are suitable environments for mosquitoes to live and breed. Due to extensive international travel, Hong Kong has a high risk of importation of cases. As asymptomatic infection is very common and the mosquito, Aedes albopictus, which can potentially transmit the virus to humans, is widely present locally, there is a risk of secondary spread in Hong Kong arising from detected and undetected imported cases.
Apart from transmission by vector, Zika virus can potentially be transmitted by blood transfusion. It has also been found in human semen and transmission by sexual contact has been confirmed.
Clinically, although evidence that neurological disorders, including microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), are linked to Zika virus remain circumstantial, the causal relationship has been strongly suspected with a growing body of clinical and epidemiological data pointing to a causal role for Zika virus. In the absence of a vaccine at present, vector control and prevention of mosquito bites in at-risk individuals (especially pregnant women) are two major strategies in formulating the local response.
The SCVBD recommended that:
1. Vector control and enhanced surveillance: Territory-wide anti-mosquito actions should be conducted all year round. Special attention should be paid to high-risk spots, such as boundary control points, cargo terminals, construction sites, dumping grounds and collection points for recycling. Novel measures of mosquito control can be explored;
2. Public education: Publicity on measures against mosquito proliferation and the use of personal protective measures should be enhanced. For travellers, and particularly persons with severe chronic illnesses or immune disorders, pregnant women and those planning pregnancy, these measures should be strengthened. Pregnant women and those preparing for pregnancy should consider deferring travel to affected areas until after pregnancy;
3. Health advice: Men returning from affected areas should abstain from sex with pregnant partners, or otherwise use a condom throughout pregnancy. Use a condom for at least six months if the female partner may get pregnant. Those returning from affected areas should defer from blood donation. These measures are key to preventing transmissions by sexual contact and blood transfusion;
4. Early diagnosis: Healthcare workers should stay alert to the possibility of Zika infection while diagnosing patients with recent travel history to affected areas;
5. Preparation and preparedness: The DH should be highly prepared in its local response. In case of a widespread of Zika virus locally, possible outcomes such as microcephaly should be dealt with in collaboration with bureaux/departments (B/Ds), in parallel with close liaison with the WHO and international health authorities to monitor the evolving situation; and
6. Risk communication: Running up to the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in August and September respectively, the DH should regularly communicate with the tourism sector, including travel agents organising tours to affected areas.
"We will take on board experts' views in reinforcing ongoing prevention and control measures. The DH will closely monitor the global and regional situation, review our risk assessment and revise the local response if necessary," Dr Leung said.
The DH maintains regular liaison with the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, and the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled on travel health advice for personnel departing for the Olympic and Paralympic Games respectively. Communication with the Hong Kong Sports Institute via the Commissioner for Sports is also underway to provide advice to athletes for the Games. A briefing for athletes and their personnel will be arranged in March to provide them with up-to-date disease information and health advice, and get them prepared for prevention of Zika before departure.
In response to overseas reports of sexually transmitted cases, the CHP has updated the relevant health advice as follows:
Special notes for prevention of sexual transmission regarding potential adverse pregnancy outcomes
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* Pregnant women should not have sex with male partners who have travelled to areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission (affected areas), or else condoms should be used throughout the pregnancy;
* Any male traveller returning from affected areas should:
(i) abstain from sex with his pregnant partner, or else use condoms throughout the pregnancy; and
(ii) use a condom for at least six months if his female partner may get pregnant.
The SCVBD's consensus summary will be uploaded to its page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/sas7/101/110/107.html) later.
Ends/Friday, February 26, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:36
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