Go to main content
 
Update on number of dengue fever cases
**************************************
     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 19) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF) in Hong Kong, and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     "We expect more travellers to return to town before the summer vacation ends and those from the Olympics in Brazil where Zika and dengue viruses are prevalent. We are facing risks of importation of these vector-borne diseases. All sectors should step up efforts on mosquito control and members of the public should use insect repellents to protect themselves, their families and the community," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     From August 11 to 18, six additional imported cases were confirmed. The patients had been to Thailand (one case), Vietnam (one case), Cambodia (two cases) and the Philippines (two cases) during the incubation period. As of August 18, a total of 79 cases had been confirmed this year, 78 of which were imported and one is under investigation.

     The CHP has been closely monitoring the latest regional and overseas dengue situation. In Asia, 31 363 DF cases have been recorded in Thailand this year, 10 661 in Singapore since January 3, 196 in Japan since January 4, and 376 local cases in Taiwan to date in 2016. In the Americas, 1 399 480 have been filed in Brazil and 41 986 in Mexico so far in 2016.

     "In Brazil, the dengue activity is high, with ongoing local transmission of Zika virus and other endemic diseases such as malaria and yellow fever. As these diseases are all mosquito-borne, travellers to Brazil should stay alert and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip," the spokesman said.

     DF is transmitted to humans through the bites of infective female Aedes mosquitoes. The public are reminded to follow anti-mosquito measures when travelling to areas where DF is endemic in order to prevent DF. When a patient suffering from DF is bitten by a vector mosquito, the mosquito is infected and it may spread the disease by biting other people. In Hong Kong, the principal vector, Aedes aegypti, has not been found in recent years but Aedes albopictus is widely present so there is a risk of secondary spread of DF from imported infections.

     Dengue viruses encompass four different serotypes. The symptoms of first infection with one serotype are usually mild, but subsequent infections with other serotypes even years afterward are more likely to result in severe dengue, also known as dengue haemorrhagic fever. Severe dengue is serious and potentially fatal. Without proper treatment, the case fatality rate of severe dengue can exceed 20 per cent.

     "At present, there is no locally registered dengue vaccine available in Hong Kong. Strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures remain the most effective means against DF both locally and during travel," the spokesman added.

     Travellers are urged to be alert to the dengue risk of travel destinations before departing and to take heed of the preventive measures below:
 
  • Wear loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers, and use DEET-containing insect repellent on exposed parts of the body and clothing;
  • Avoid using fragrant cosmetics or skin-care products and re-apply insect repellent according to instructions during outdoor activities;
  • Before the trip, arrange a travel health consultation at least six weeks in advance for any extra measures against mosquito bites;
  • During the trip, carry a portable bed net and apply permethrin (an insecticide) on it in rural endemic areas. Permethrin should not be applied to the skin; and
  • After returning from dengue endemic areas, continue to apply insect repellent for 14 days.

     The incubation period of DF ranges from three to 14 days, commonly four to seven days. Anyone feeling unwell after returning from a trip should seek medical advice as soon as possible and provide travel details to their doctor.

     Members of the public should also prevent the accumulation of stagnant water and maintain good environmental hygiene:
 
  • Change the water in vases once a week;
  • Clear the water in saucers under potted plants every week;
  • Cover water containers tightly;
  • Ensure air-conditioner drip trays are free of stagnant water;
  • Put all used cans and bottles into covered dustbins; and
  • Store food and dispose of garbage properly.

     Members of the public are reminded to make reports to government departments via the hotline 1823 if mosquito problems are detected, and may visit these pages for more information: the DF page of the CHP and the DH's Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health Newstips for using insect repellents, the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department's Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding.
 
Ends/Friday, August 19, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:55
NNNN
Today's Press Releases