Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's Department of Health stated on the 28th that no cases of chikungunya fever have been confirmed in Hong Kong so far in 2020. However, with a recent surge in chikungunya cases recorded in many parts of the world, the risk of imported cases in Hong Kong is quite high. The SAR government has implemented a number of emergency preparedness measures to prevent the spread of chikungunya fever in Hong Kong.
The CHP stated that, based on the infectious disease reporting mechanism established among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau, the CHP is fully aware of the latest situation regarding chikungunya fever in Guangdong Province. The CHP's Port Health Division maintains close contact with Shenzhen Customs, and personnel from both sides held a working meeting on the 28th to strengthen border control. The CHP has further enhanced its testing capabilities in conjunction with the Hong Kong Hospital Authority to ensure early detection and diagnosis should a chikungunya outbreak occur.
The CHP is working closely with the Hong Kong SAR Government's Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to conduct vector surveys and mosquito control to reduce the risk of local transmission. The supply of fever-reducing medications in Hong Kong is generally stable, and the public does not need to stockpile them. Furthermore, the Centre for Health Protection will conduct public education and awareness campaigns to remind citizens to take mosquito prevention measures.
It is understood that chikungunya fever is not transmitted from person to person; it is mainly transmitted to humans through the bite of female Aedes mosquitoes carrying the chikungunya virus. The Aedes albopictus mosquito, which is prevalent in Hong Kong, can transmit chikungunya fever. Severe symptoms and death from chikungunya fever are very rare, and the symptoms are milder than those of dengue fever; most patients recover on their own. (End)
