New Chikungunya Cases Reported in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has reported a new imported case of chikungunya fever, along with another probable patient under observation. This development marks the fifth confirmed case within a week, raising concerns about the spread of the disease in the region.
The latest confirmed case involves a 66-year-old woman from Kwai Tsing district who has a history of chronic illness. According to the Centre for Health Protection, she traveled alone to Foshan, Guangdong province, between July 24 and Tuesday this week to visit relatives. The woman is currently stable and has not recalled being bitten by a mosquito during her trip.
She developed symptoms including fever, rash, and joint pain on Wednesday and sought medical attention at Yan Chai Hospital in Tsuen Wan the following day. Her blood test results were positive for the chikungunya virus. The centre noted that the woman remained in Foshan throughout the incubation period, leading to the classification of the case as an imported one. Her household contacts are currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance.
Health authorities have also informed their counterparts in Guangdong about the case. Meanwhile, another probable case is under investigation involving a 22-year-old woman from Sai Wan Ho Street in Eastern district. She recently returned to Hong Kong after a three-week trip that included Madagascar, Mauritius, and Malaysia.
The woman reported being bitten by mosquitoes in Madagascar and experienced fever, headache, and joint pain there. Although her fever subsided before returning to Hong Kong, she sought medical care at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan upon arrival. She was admitted the next day and discharged on Thursday.
A blood sample collected on Monday tested negative, but a subsequent test conducted on Friday showed positive results for chikungunya fever. Authorities believe the case is likely a recovered case, as the patient was no longer infectious to mosquitoes upon her return. Another blood sample will be collected next week for further antibody testing.
This follows the recent confirmation of the first imported case in Hong Kong, which involved a 12-year-old boy who had returned from Foshan last Saturday. On Wednesday, health authorities announced three additional imported cases, including a 55-year-old man, his 10-year-old son, and a 79-year-old woman.
Before August 2, the last recorded cases of chikungunya fever in Hong Kong were in 2019, with a total of 11 patients. The city also reported two cases in 2018, one in 2017, and eight in 2016. All these cases between 2016 and 2019 were classified as imported.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 240,000 cases of chikungunya fever have been recorded in 16 countries and regions worldwide as of July this year. Approximately 90 of these cases resulted in fatalities.
Guangdong has been experiencing an outbreak since July, with approximately 8,000 cases reported so far, many of which are concentrated in Foshan. Chikungunya fever is primarily transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Symptoms typically include fever and joint pain, which can persist for months or even years. Additional symptoms may involve muscle pain, nausea, and rashes.
As the situation continues to evolve, health authorities remain vigilant and are taking necessary measures to monitor and control the spread of the disease.