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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health urged members of the public to guard against dengue fever following the confirmation by laboratory test of five imported cases.
The first case involved a 41-year-old man who travelled to Thailand between July 28 and August 4. He developed symptoms of dengue fever including fever, chills, myalgia, joint pain and petechiae over his limbs upon his return to Hong Kong. He consulted a private doctor and was admitted to Tseung Kwan O Hospital on August 9. He was discharged on August 14.
In the second case, a 28-year-old woman travelled to the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand between July 28 and August 7 and developed symptoms of fever, diarrhoea and chills on August 10. She was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) on August 16 and is now in stable condition.
The third case affected a 38-year-old woman who went to Bangladesh from July 23 to August 3. She had fever, chills and headache on August 8 and was admitted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital two days later. She was discharged on August 18.
As for the fourth case, a 49-year-old woman went to the Philippines between July 13 and August 10 and developed fever and chills on August 14. She was admitted to PMH on August 17 and is now in stable condition.
The last case involved an expatriate man aged 17, who travelled to Thailand from July 27 to August 10. He developed symptoms of dengue fever such as fever, headache and joint pain on August 15 and consulted private doctors. No hospitalisation was required and his condition is stable.
The family members and travel collaterals of these five patients did not have any symptoms of dengue fever.
A total of 26 cases of imported dengue fever have been reported to the CHP so far this year. Fifty-eight cases were reported in 2007 and all of them are classified as imported cases.
A spokesman for CHP urged the public to stay alert to the threat of dengue fever and to help prevent mosquito breeding by taking the following measures:
* Put all used cans and bottles into dustbins with covers;
* Change water for plants at least once a week, leaving no water in the saucers underneath flower pots;
* Cover tightly all water containers, wells and water storage tanks, and
* Keep all drains free from blockage.
Travellers should take the following preventive measures:
* Wear long-sleeved tops and trousers;
* Use insect repellent on exposed parts of the body, and
* Use mosquito screens or nets when rooms are not air-conditioned.
Anyone feeling unwell after returning from their trip should consult a doctor as soon as possible and provide details of their travel to the doctor.
The latest information on dengue fever in other places can be found under "Outbreak News" on the Hong Kong Travel Health Service website, www.travelhealth.gov.hk/eindex.html. Travel agents, tour guides and travellers can visit the website for the latest news and advice on preventive measures.
Ends/Thursday, August 21, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:23
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