Update on chikungunya fever
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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health revealed that since 5pm today (October 25), 2 brand-new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had actually been taped.
Newest case info
The very first case includes a 74-year-old female living in Kowloon City District. An initial examination exposed that she went to Foshan in Guangdong in between October 3 and 13. She established joint discomfort and rash because October 20. She looked for medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital the other day (October 24) and was confessed for treatment in a mosquito-free environment. Her blood sample evaluated favorable for the chikungunya infection upon lab screening. The client is now in steady condition.
The client has one home contact, who took a trip with her to Foshan, is presently asymptomatic and under medical monitoring.
The other case includes a 72-year-old male living in Shatin District. An initial examination exposed that he went to Foshan in Guangdong alone in between October 10 and 23. He established a fever, joint discomfort and rash given that October 23. He looked for medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of Prince of Wales Hospital the other day and was confessed for treatment in a mosquito-free environment. His blood sample evaluated favorable for the chikungunya infection upon lab screening. The client is now in steady condition.
The client has one family contact, who is presently asymptomatic and under medical monitoring.
Given that both clients remained in Guangdong Province throughout their incubation duration, the CHP thought about that they were contaminated throughout travel. The cases were categorized as imported. The CHP’s epidemiological examination is continuous, and it has actually reported the cases to the health authority of Guangdong Province.
Newest monitoring information
Far this year, Hong Kong has actually tape-recorded an overall of 46 validated CF cases. All are imported cases. Amongst which, a client died, while conditions of other clients are moderate.
Extreme signs and deaths brought on by CF are very uncommon, with a death rate of less than one in 1 000. The incident of serious problems is primarily associated to the clients’ hidden health conditions. Seniors (especially those aged 65 or above), young kids (especially babies under 1 years of age), pregnant ladies and individuals with persistent diseases (such as high blood pressure, diabetes or heart problem) are at greater threat of establishing problems after contracting CF and might need a longer healing duration. Members of the public (specifically the abovementioned high-risk groups) are recommended to look for medical suggestions quickly if they establish appropriate signs, especially a fever, unexpected serious joint discomfort and skin rash, after checking out locations impacted by CF.
Considering that the start of 2025, and since September 30, an overall of 445 271 thought and verified CF cases and 155 CF-related deaths have actually been reported in 40 countries/territories. Cases have actually been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. CF break outs presently take place in lots of nations worldwide. Members of the general public need to examine the scenario of the locations before taking a trip abroad.
Constantly enhancing avoidance and control
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) continues to perform vector examinations and targeted mosquito control operations, and heighten mosquito avoidance and control procedures at the houses of just recently validated clients, in addition to at areas gone to after the start of signs. These steps consist of:
- performing extensive misting in scrubby locations within a 250-metre radius of the pertinent places to eliminate adult mosquitoes;
- performing examinations of the areas, getting rid of stagnant water, using insecticides and dealing with deserted water containers weekly with a view to avoiding mosquito breeding; and
- improving public education efforts through arranging health talks, establishing mobile education stations, and dispersing promotion brochures.
The CHP prompted schools to follow the FEHD’s anti-mosquito standards to reinforce efforts to clear stagnant water on school properties and get rid of mosquito reproducing websites. It is likewise necessary to advise employee and trainees to regularly execute mosquito avoidance and individual protective steps to defend against the spread of mosquito-borne illness within school facilities.
In addition, the CHP’s Port Health Division continues to step up assessments at limit control points and advise cross-boundary public transportation operators and other pertinent celebrations to guarantee excellent ecological health and efficient application of anti-mosquito procedures. Personnel members of the Port Health Division disperse brochures to tourists, conduct temperature level screenings for incoming visitors, perform health evaluations for tourists with fever or associated signs and refer them to healthcare facilities for follow-ups when essential.
Appropriate usage of DEET-containing bug sprays or other reliable active components can avoid mosquito bites, however the following preventative measures need to be taken when utilizing them:
- check out the label directions thoroughly initially;
- use right before getting in a location with a danger of mosquito bites;
- use on exposed skin and clothes;
- usage DEET of approximately 30 percent for pregnant ladies and as much as 10 percent for kids (For kids who take a trip to nations or locations where mosquito-borne illness are endemic or epidemic and where direct exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can utilize DEET-containing bug sprays with a DEET concentration of as much as 30 percent);
- use sun block initially, then bug spray;
- reapply just when required and follow the guidelines; and
- in addition to DEET, there are other bug sprays offered on the marketplace consisting of various active components, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When utilizing any bug spray, the general public ought to follow the use directions and preventative measures on the item label.
The FEHD likewise interest members of the general public to continue to remain alert and interact to perform mosquito avoidance and control procedures early, consisting of examining their homes and environments to get rid of possible breeding premises, altering water in vases and scrubbing their inner surface areas, eliminating water in dishes under potted plants a minimum of as soon as a week, and correctly dealing with containers such as soda cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD likewise encourages members of the general public and estate management bodies to keep drains pipes without clog and level all malfunctioning ground surface areas to avoid the build-up of water. They must likewise scrub all drains pipes and surface area sewage systems with an alkaline cleaning agent a minimum of as soon as a week to get rid of any mosquito eggs.
The general public must call 1823 in case of mosquito issues, and might check out the following pages to find out more: the CF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the most recent Travel Health News, ideas for utilizing bug sprays, and the CHP Facebook Page, Instagram Account and YouTube Channel, and likewise the Mosquito Prevention and Control committed page of the FEHD.