The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health has recorded the first local case of chikungunya fever in Hong Kong. Dr. Edwin Tsui Lok Kin, the Centre's director, met with the media this afternoon (Oct. 26) to announce details of the case and the government's follow-up actions. Also present were Dr. Au Ka Wing, Albert, head of the Infectious Diseases Unit, Ms. Fok Ming Yan, Anita, head of the Pest Control Section of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, and Mr.Thomas Wu Kui Wah, the Kowloon City District Officer.
Dr. Tsui stated that the case involves an 82-year-old woman who began experiencing ankle joint pain and swelling on Oct. 18. By Oct. 22, the joint pain had spread to her hands and other joints in her feet, prompting her to consult a private doctor. On Oct. 23, as the joint pain persisted, she went to the Accident and Emergency Department at Kwong Wah Hospital, where she was subsequently admitted for treatment and diagnosis. Blood tests revealed a positive result for chikungunya virus nucleic acid in her blood sample.
Dr. Tsui pointed out that the patient had not left Hong Kong for 2 to 12 days prior to her illness (from Oct. 6 to 16), with her last trip abroad being at the end of August. He continued to explain that the 82-year-old primarily engaged in activities within her residence at Fung Tak Estate in Wong Tai Sin and its vicinity, including morning exercises, resting, shopping at the estate's market or mall, and picking up and dropping off children at school. Her activities were mainly limited to within the estate, leading to the belief that the source of her infection originated from there.
Dr. Tsui stated that over the next one to two weeks, mosquito control measures will be intensified in the area surrounding Fung Tak Estate, particularly targeting adult mosquito control, and efforts will be made to inspect and strengthen the management of mosquito breeding sites. Furthermore, as the range of the Aedes albopictus mosquito is generally within a radius of 200 meters, it is estimated that the seven buildings in the estate and nearby buildings (approximately 20 in total) may be affected, involving around 8,000 households. He noted that authorities will actively track any symptomatic cases within this area.
Dr. Au urged residents of the 20 buildings to contact the Centre for Health Protection as soon as possible if they experience related symptoms (such as fever, joint pain, or rash) after Oct. 1. A hotline has been established, starting today, operating from 9 am to 8 pm, with the phone number 2125 2373. Any citizen with symptoms or inquiries can call the hotline for immediate assessment.
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