CHP announces latest laboratory testing results on local cases of dengue fever
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announces today (August 20) the laboratory testing results on the local cases of dengue fever (DF). According to the latest testing results, the CHP assessed the source of infection of the two local cases of DF in Cheung Chau to be the same.
 
     The CHP has continued to conduct genetic sequencing of the virus of the local cases of DF. For the Cheung Chau case (52-year-old male patient) announced on Sunday, laboratory testing revealed that the genetic sequence of the virus is highly similar to that of the first Cheung Chau case (84-year-old female patient) announced on August 14. As a result, repeat testing was undertaken on the case and it was revealed that the 52-year-old male patient's blood sample was positive for dengue virus serotype 1 (instead of serotype 3).
 
     In addition, among the four local cases of DF recorded on Saturday, testing revealed that the genetic sequence of the virus of one case (63-year-old female patient) was identical to the eight cases earlier, while the virus of one case (55-year-old male patient) could not be sequenced. For the remaining two cases (69-year-old female patient and 61-year-old male patient), the sequencing results are pending.
 
     A spokesman of the CHP apologised for the confusion and inconvenience caused by the error in laboratory testing result of the second Cheung Chau case and will investigate to prevent reoccurrence of similar laboratory incidents in future.
     
     "The CHP, together with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), will conduct a health talk at 11am on Thursday (August 23) at 1/F of Cheung Chau Municipal Services Building to deliver health advice to the public. In addition, the CHP has also provided information and details of the patients' residences and points of visit of the local DF cases on the CHP's designated webpage for DF to facilitate handy access of information for the public," the spokesman said.
 
     "The CHP has issued letters again today to local doctors and hospitals to alert them to the latest situation of local DF and remind them to enhance surveillance. The CHP has also issued letters to schools and institutions to remind them to step up mosquito control and prevention measures," the spokesman added.
 
     The CHP again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel. The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the DF pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health Newstips for using insect repellents, the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the FEHD's Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding for more information.

Ends/Monday, August 20, 2018
Issued at HKT 22:12

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