One new imported case of chikungunya fever has been recorded on Tuesday (Aug 12), according to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health.
The new case involves a 31-year-old male with good past health who lives in a residential building on Ta Chuen Ping Street in Kwai Tsing District.
Preliminary investigations revealed that he travelled to Foshan, Guangdong from August 1 to 3. Upon returning to Hong Kong, he developed a fever, rash and joint pain last Friday (Aug 8).
He travelled to Shenzhen the next day (Aug 9) and attended a hospital there the following day. He was not admitted and returned to Hong Kong on the same day.
He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Yan Chai Hospital on Monday (Aug 11) and was admitted for treatment in a mosquito-free environment.
His blood sample tested positive for the virus upon laboratory testing, and he is currently in stable condition.
The patient has no travel collaterals and his household contacts are currently asymptomatic and are under medical surveillance. The CHP has reported the case to the health authorities of Guangdong.
It is the fourth imported case of chikungunya fever logged in Kwai Tsing District, including one in Shek Lei Estate and two in Tsing Yi.
The CHP reminded members of the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene and to take mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and when travelling outside Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has recorded a total of six confirmed CF cases this year, all of which are imported cases, as well as one probable case. From 2016 to 2019, Hong Kong recorded between one and 11 imported cases annually.
