Woman in stable condition after catching dengue fever from mosquito bite on bus

A 54-year-old woman caught dengue fever from a mosquito bite during her bus ride from her Tin Shui Wai home to her workplace at the Hong Kong International Airport. She is currently in stable condition. 

The woman, who lives in Tin Shui (1) Estate, was believed to have locally contracted the disease as she did not travel overseas during the incubation period, according to the Centre for Health Protection. 

After investigation, the CHP believed that the woman was bitten by a mosquito while she was on Long Win Bus route E37, which runs between the airport and Tin Shui Wai. 

She works in the SuperTerminal One at the airport and occasionally visits the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal and Asia Airfreight Terminal due to operational needs. 

“The patient’s condition is stable, and the center has focused on strengthening mosquito prevention and control at her residence, workplace, and the places she passed by when traveling between the two locations,” said the Department of Health’s senior medical and health officer in epidemiology Wong Hoi-kei. 

The blood sample of a household contact of the patient was negative for dengue virus. No suspected case has been found in Tin Shui Estate. The patient’s colleagues have no symptoms of the disease and are under medical surveillance. 

The center has inspected the cleaning operator’s mosquito control work on the buses on the route and the Transport Department has also requested bus operators to strengthen anti-mosquito measures promptly. 

Long Win Bus said it has already inspected bus stops and bus compartments with officers from the CHP, and the company has already stepped up mosquito control efforts. 

The company said they take timely measures to ensure that the facilities are clean and hygienic, including cleaning the carriages every day, thorough deep cleaning every half a month, and regular pest control and inspections to ensure that there is no stagnant water. 

If mosquitoes are found near the bus stop, they will report to relevant departments and ask for follow-up. 

The CHP has also collaborated with the Airport Authority to distribute mosquito prevention and other related information to airport employees. 

Talks have been held in collaboration with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department at the Tin Shui Community Center. Free dengue fever antibody tests have also been conducted for residents with relevant symptoms. 

Wong also said the dengue fever infections recorded overseas have increased significantly this year, therefore Hongkongers should be on high alert and apply mosquito repellent while traveling abroad.