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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (April 1) urged the public to adopt necessary precautions during the Ching Ming Festival against mosquito-borne diseases.
"With possibly more outdoor exposure while visiting cemeteries and columbaria, grave sweepers should wear light-coloured and long-sleeved tops and trousers and use DEET-containing insect repellent on exposed parts of the body and clothing. Remove stagnant water in incense burners and used containers and clear rubbish before leaving to prevent mosquito breeding. Anti-mosquito measures are essential in guarding against dengue fever (DF) and Zika Virus Infection during travel," a spokesman for the CHP said.
Dengue fever
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Locally, from March 21 to 31, two additional confirmed imported DF cases were recorded and the patients had been in Thailand and Indonesia during the incubation period. As of March 31, 22 DF cases had been confirmed this year and all were imported.
Dengue remains endemic in neighbouring and overseas areas. In 2016, in Asia, 13 411 DF cases have been recorded in Thailand, 6 213 in Singapore (since January 3), 371 in Taiwan and 57 in Japan. In the Americas, 495 266 cases were filed in Brazil and 17 981 in Mexico this year.
Zika Virus Infection
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Locally, no human Zika cases have been reported to the CHP to date.
Globally, according to the World Health Organization, to date, 61 countries/areas have documented Zika virus transmission since 2007. There is strong scientific consensus that Zika virus is a cause of Guillain-Barré syndrome, microcephaly and other neurological disorders.
The public should pay special attention to the areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission and observe the DH's ongoing health advice and special notes during travel. Pregnant women and those planning pregnancy should consider deferring their trip to affected areas. Those returning from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days after arrival in Hong Kong.
"In Brazil, the dengue activity is high with ongoing local transmission of Zika virus and other endemic diseases such as malaria and yellow fever. Travellers to Brazil should strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites to prevent these mosquito-borne diseases," the spokesman added.
The public may visit the DH's pages below for more disease information and health advice:
* The DF page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/38847.html);
* The Zika Virus Infection page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/43086.html);
* The Travel Health News (www.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/outbreaknews/outbreaknews.html); and
* Anti-mosquito precautions for women (www.fhs.gov.hk/english/health_info/woman/30014.html).
Ends/Friday, April 1, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:31
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