The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that a 48-year-old woman from Yuen Long District was diagnosed with chikungunya fever, a mosquito-borne illness, bringing Hong Kong’s total confirmed cases this year to 42, all of which were imported.
The woman had traveled to Shanwei and Jieyang in Guangdong Province on October 10 and 11, developing symptoms including fever, joint pain, and a rash starting October 17.
She sought treatment at Tin Shui Wai Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department and was admitted on October 19 for care in a mosquito-free environment.
Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the chikungunya virus in her blood, and she remains in stable condition.
The woman’s two household contacts, who accompanied her on the trip, are currently showing no symptoms but are under medical surveillance.
As she was in Guangdong during the disease’s incubation period, the CHP determined that she contracted the virus during her travels, classifying the case as imported.
The center is continuing its epidemiological investigation and has notified Guangdong’s health authorities about the case.
So far this year, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 42 confirmed CF cases.
