The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (July 28) that it has been gearing up for emergency preparedness in response to the possible imported cases of Chikungunya fever (CF). The recent spike in CF cases in multiple regions worldwide (including neighbouring areas), and more frequently travelling among members of the public during summer holidays, pose a significant risk of imported cases in Hong Kong. The Government has implemented various emergency preparedness measures to prevent the spread of CF in Hong Kong and safeguard public health.
      
     "CF is not transmitted from person to person, and is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of female Aedes mosquitoes carrying the CF virus. Aedes albopictus, which is ubiquitous in Hong Kong, can transmit CF. During the early stage after the onset of symptoms (especially when a fever is present), the blood of patients of CF and Dengue Fever (DF) contains a large amount of virus, which is infectious to mosquitoes. If they are bitten by mosquitoes during the communicable period, further local transmission via mosquitoes is possible. If mosquito infestation is serious, it may even lead to large-scale of local outbreaks. Therefore, early identification of infected persons and preventing them from mosquito bites during communicable period is vital in prevention of local transmission," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
 
Emergency preparedness
 
     Despite severe or fatal cases caused by CF is rare and the symptoms are milder than that of DF, and most patients recover on their own, as local mosquitoes have not carried the CF virus, we must strive to prevent CF from becoming endemic in Hong Kong. The Government has adopted multi-pronged emergency preparedness, including:
 

• Control measures at boundary control points (BCPs): the CHP's Port Health Division has been in close contact with Shenzhen Customs to ensure prevention and control measures at BCPs in Shenzhen and Hong Kong are properly put in place. Personnels from Shenzhen and Hong Kong also conducted frontline working meeting today to reinforce the mutual understanding of the disease prevention measures at BCPs.
• Enhancing local testing capabilities: the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the CHP is equipped with sufficient testing capabilities. The CHP conducts tests on suspected CF cases for public and private hospitals and no positive cases have been detected so far this year. The CHP has, in collaboration with the Hospital Authority, further enhanced the local testing capabilities to ensure that in the event of an outbreak, suspected cases could be tested as soon as possible with an aim of early detection and diagnosis.
• Arranging mosquito-free environment for treatment: avoiding mosquito bites of the patient is an important measure to prevent local transmission. There may be further transmission in the community if local mosquitoes are infected by the CF virus. When there is a confirmed CF case in Hong Kong, the patient will be admitted to a hospital to receive treatment in a mosquito-free environment as a prudent measure.
• Epidemiological investigations and risk assessment: the CHP will implement prevention and control measures according to epidemiological investigations and risk assessments, which includes providing medical surveillance and health advice to household contacts of the case or those with common exposure to the source of infection. The CHP will arrange for laboratory testing if they presented with relevant symptoms.
• Vector investigation and mosquito control: the CHP will work closely with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) to conduct on-site inspections, vector investigations and mosquito control, to lower the risk of local transmission.
• Supply of medicines: the Government is monitoring the local supply of medicines with antipyretics (e.g. paracetamol), and is maintaining close communication with the suppliers, local manufacturers and community pharmacy associations. The supply of relevant medicines in Hong Kong remains stable. The public need not stockpile the relevant medicines.

 
Collaboration on disease prevention and control
 
     Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have been working closely in communicable disease prevention and control and emergency response according to the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration. Owing to the communicable disease notification mechanism established by the three places, the CHP has kept abreast of the latest situation of CF in Guangdong Province.
      
     The CHP's Port Health Division steps up publicity and education efforts regarding CF at the BCPs, conducts more frequent inspections to ensure good environmental hygiene and effective implementation of anti-mosquito measures, conducts temperature screening for inbound travellers. Any travellers with fevers or related symptoms will be assessed on health conditions and referred to hospitals for follow up when necessary. The CHP also maintains close liaison with relevant stakeholders such as airlines and the travel industry to provide the latest disease information and health advice in a timely manner.
      
Public education and publicity
 
     The CHP will issue letters to all schools and institutions (including residential care homes for the elderly and residential care homes for persons with disabilities) in Hong Kong to provide them with the latest epidemiological information and remind operators to adopt preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites. The CHP and the FEHD will continue to provide advice on anti-mosquito measure to institutions.

     The CHP will also hold online seminars this week to raise public awareness of CF and address related inquiries from the public. Details will be announced later on the CHP's social media accounts, and the public is welcome to watch. The CHP has also set up mobile promotional booths at multiple locations across Hong Kong (including public markets, community health centres, and shopping malls) to educate the public on how to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. Details can be viewed at www.chp.gov.hk/en/other/events/476.html.
 
Measures the public should continue to take
 
     The CHP recommends that the public properly use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients to effectively prevent mosquito bites. The following precautions should be taken when using them:
 

• read the label instructions carefully first;
• apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
• apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
• reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
• in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535, picaridin etc. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

 
     Members of the public returning from areas affected by CF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If they feel unwell, they should seek medical advice promptly and provide their travel details to a doctor.
 
Latest situation regarding CF
 
     According to the information from the Foshan health authority, as of July 26, there were over 4 700 cases in Foshan city. The majority of cases (4 210 cases) were in Shunde District. All cases were mild, with no severe or fatal cases so far. Moreover, confirmed cases were also recorded in other cities in Guangdong Province recently. Regarding Macao, as of July 25, there were four imported cases of CF, three of them travelled to Foshan city during the incubation period. 
 
     There have been no CF cases in Hong Kong since 2020.
 
     The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the dengue fever page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the Chikungunya fever page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.

Ends/Monday, July 28, 2025
Issued at HKT 23:21

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