The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that as of 5pm today (November 4), the CHP has recorded one new imported case of chikungunya fever (CF). The CHP continued to implement various prevention and control measures together with various Government departments and relevant organisations, striving to prevent CF from taking root locally and minimise the public health impact of the disease in Hong Kong.
 
Latest case information
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     The case involves a 60-year-old female living in Tai Po District. A preliminary investigation revealed that she travelled to Cuba between October 11 and October 29. She developed join pain one day before returning to Hong Kong (October 28). She developed a fever on October 31 and sought medical attention at a private hospital on same day. Her blood sample tested positive for the chikungunya virus upon laboratory testing. She is now in stable condition and will be admitted to a public hospital for treatment in a mosquito-free environment. Her two household contacts and travel companions to Cuba are currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance.
      
     Since the patient stayed in Cuba during incubation period, the CHP considered that she was infected during travel. The case is classified as imported. The CHP's epidemiological investigation is ongoing, and it will report the case to the relevant health authority.
 
Latest surveillance data
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     Hong Kong has recorded a total of 56 confirmed CF cases this year, including three local cases and the rest are imported cases. For the local case announced yesterday, the CHP is carrying out genome analysis for the 45-year-old male to ascertain whether it has epidemiological linkage with cases confirmed in Hong Kong earlier. Investigation is ongoing.
      
     Since the beginning of 2025, and as of September 30, a total of 445 271 suspected and confirmed CF cases and 155 CF-related deaths have been reported in 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. CF outbreaks currently occur in many countries worldwide. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad.
      
     According to information from the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration, there were 259 new CF cases in Guangdong last week (October 26 to November 1), showing a decrease compared to the previous week (October 19 to 25), which reported 868 cases. The cases last week were mainly reported in Foshan (51 cases), Shenzhen (48 cases), Jiangmen (44 cases), Guangzhou (37 cases) and Zhuhai (18 cases). All cases were mild, with no severe or fatal cases reported.
 
Government's comprehensive follow-up actions
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     In response to the new local case, the CHP urged the residents living nearby Mount Haven in Tsing Yi, Kwai Chung Plaza and Shun Tak Centre in Sheung Wan to seek medical advice or contact the CHP immediately if they presented with a fever, rash or joint pain since October 1. 
      
     The CHP organised an online live seminar at 8.30pm tonight. Doctors would explain the latest situation of CF, how to prevent infection and how to properly use insect repellents. The CHP would also collaborate with Kwai Tsing District Office to organise health talks for the residents at the Cheung Hang Community Hall in Tsing Yi at 3pm tomorrow (November 5), which aims to enhance public understanding of this mosquito-borne disease and encourage active participation in prevention efforts to protect both oneself and others.
      
     The CHP officers and relevant District Services & Community Care Teams have distributed leaflets on prevention of CF to residents living in Mount Haven and nearby, and 7 500 units near Kwai Chung Plaza and Shun Tak Centre in Sheung Wan to remind them to take note of relevant symptoms and be aware of environmental hygiene in the household.
      
     In light of the three local cases, the CHP has set up health consultation booths at Cheung Hang Community Hall in Tsing Yi, Kwai Fong Estate (near Kwai Ming House), pedestrian bridge towards the east exit of Shun Tak Centre in Sheung Wan and Fung Tak Shopping Centre in Wong Tai Sin to provide assessments to members of the public with relevant symptoms. Please visit the CHP's webpage for the venues and operation hours of the health consultation booths. The inquiry hotline (2125 2373) set up earlier will continue to operate from 9am to 8pm daily.
      
     As of 5pm today, the CHP has conducted assessments for over 15 000 individuals working or residing at districts with higher risk, and 43 individuals with mild symptoms have been arranged to undergo blood tests, details are as follows:
 

	In the vicinity of Fung Tak Estate in Wong Tai Sin	In the vicinity of Mount Haven in Tsing Yi	In the vicinity of Kwai Chung Plaza	In the vicinity of Shun Tak Centre in Sheung Wan
Number of individuals assessed	Over 11 200 persons	Over 2 400 persons	Over 1 200 persons	Over 700 persons
Number of individuals with mild symptoms who have been arranged to undergo blood tests	42 persons	0 person	0 person	1 person
Number of individuals who have completed testing	40 persons who are all negative	0 person	0 person	0 person
Number of individuals pending testing results	2 persons	0 person	0 person	1 person

 
     The CHP has again issued letters to doctors, hospitals, schools and institutions, providing the latest information on CF and reminding them to be vigilant. If there is any suspected CF cases, they should contact the CHP for follow up immediately.
      
     The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July this year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:
 

• carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;
• carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and
• enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.

　　
      The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.
 
Preventive measures taken by the public
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     Severe symptoms and deaths caused by CF are extremely rare, with a mortality rate of less than one in 1 000. The occurrence of severe complications is mostly related to the patients' underlying health conditions. Elderly persons (particularly those aged 65 or above), young children (particularly infants under 1 year old), pregnant women and persons with chronic illnesses (such as hypertension, diabetes or heart disease) are at higher risk of developing complications after contracting CF and may require a longer recovery period. Therefore, members of the public (especially the abovementioned high-risk groups) are advised to seek medical advice promptly if they develop relevant symptoms, particularly a fever, sudden severe joint pain and skin rash, after visiting areas affected by CF.
 
     Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
 

• read the label instructions carefully first;
• apply right before entering an area with a 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 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

           
     The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
      
     The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page, Instagram Account and YouTube Channel, and also the Mosquito Prevention and Control dedicated page of the FEHD.

Ends/Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Issued at HKT 21:28

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