Hospital Authority implements special measures to handle chikungunya fever case
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The spokesperson for the Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (August 2) that the HA is taking the imported case of chikungunya fever in Hong Kong very seriously, and public hospitals have implemented special measures and enhanced patient monitoring.
The spokesperson said that the HA Central Committee on Infectious Disease and Emergency Response had earlier convened a special meeting to discuss special measures and risk assessment for chikungunya fever, and public hospitals have implemented a series of measures in response. Public hospitals will adopt the strategy of "early detection, early testing and early treatment". Emergency departments and outpatient clinics have been reminded to maintain vigilance and enhance monitoring of patients with relevant symptoms such as fever and severe joint pain. They will strictly implement patient screenings, including travel history, whether patients have visited places with confirmed cases, and whether they have been bitten by mosquitoes, to identify suspected cases early.
When suspected cases are identified, public hospitals will arrange to send patient samples to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) for testing as soon as possible to determine whether patients are infected with chikungunya fever. If patients are confirmed positive, healthcare workers will provide appropriate treatment promptly.
The spokesperson said, "The HA Infectious Disease Centre and other public hospitals have reserved beds to receive patients. The HA will maintain close communication with the CHP to monitor the situation, and can mobilize more beds and manpower to care for patients when necessary. The HA also has sufficient antipyretic and related medicines to treat patients in need."
The HA has also reminded hospitals to strengthen mosquito control and clear stagnant water to reduce the risk of mosquito breeding and transmission of chikungunya fever in areas near hospitals. Hospitals will also urge construction site managers to strictly implement mosquito control and stagnant water clearance measures.
The HA will work closely with CHP to monitor the latest developments, and conduct continuous risk assessments to implement corresponding measures.
The spokesperson also urged members of the public who return from areas affected by chikungunya fever to inform healthcare workers when seeking medical consultations to facilitate early arrangements.
Ends/Saturday, August 2, 2025
Issued at HKT 20:12
Issued at HKT 20:12
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