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In response to media enquiries, a spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (December 15) confirmed that CHP received a report of a case of imported malaria involving a 48-year-old African male delegate attending the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation.
The patient, who came from Gabon of Africa, attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Ruttonjee Hospital this morning and blood smear was positive for malaria.
He was transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital for isolation and is now in stable condition.
Initial investigation revealed that the patient came from Gabon to Hong Kong on December 12 and had onset of fever since December 10 before arrival to Hong Kong.
The spokesman said two members in his delegation had been contacted and they did not have any symptoms of the disease. They have been put under medical surveillance.
Malaria is a vector-borne communicable disease transmitted by Anopheline mosquito. The incubation period is usually 12 to 30 days after the bite of an infected Anopheline mosquito. The disease is common in many parts of tropical and sub-tropical areas like Africa, South-east Asia and South America.
To prevent malaria infection, members of the public are advised to:
* Take measures to avoid mosquito bite:
- install mosquito screens and mosquito nets,
- use insect repellents over exposed parts of the body,
- wear long sleeved clothes and long trousers when going out.
* Consult a medical practitioner or the Port Health Office two to three weeks beforehand for preventive measures and medication if necessary when travelling to areas where malaria is endemic.
* Consult a medical practitioner immediately on return from malaria endemic area if there are symptoms of malaria.
Ends/Thursday, December 15, 2005
Issued at HKT 23:25
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