The Centre for Health Protection on Monday confirmed a new case of chikungunya fever in a 70-year-old man who recently traveled to Guangdong, bringing the city’s total cases this year to 33, as authorities continue to monitor for potential spread.
The patient, who had traveled alone to Foshan in Guangdong Province from September 20 to October 10, began experiencing symptoms of fever and joint pain on October 11.
He sought medical attention at Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department and was admitted the following day for treatment in a mosquito-free environment.
Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the chikungunya virus in his blood, and he is currently in stable condition.
Health officials determined that the man likely contracted the virus during his travels, as his symptoms emerged after his stay in Guangdong, which falls within the disease’s incubation period.
The case has been classified as imported, and the Centre for Health Protection has notified Guangdong’s health authorities to coordinate further monitoring.
The patient’s sole household contact, who remains symptom-free, is under medical surveillance.
Chikungunya fever, a mosquito-borne viral illness, is characterized by fever, joint pain, and sometimes rash, typically transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
This latest case brings Hong Kong’s total confirmed chikungunya cases in 2025 to 33.
