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| CHP Controller Dr Edwin Tsui (center), head of the Communicable Disease Branch of the CHP, Dr Albert Au (left) and the staff of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (right) conduct on-site inspections of locations near the patient’s residence. |
Hong Kong today recorded the first locally-acquired case of chikungunya fever (CF), sparking infection control measures by various government departments and private organizations to prevent the disease from taking root and minimize its public health impact.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of
Health said the case involves an 82-year-old female living in Fung Tak Estate
in Wong Tai Sin.
Hong Kong has earlier recorded 46 confirmed CF cases, all of
them imported.
“None of the 46 patients lives near the abovementioned local case,” the CHP said.
Given that the activity areas of the patient are primarily
within the estate, the CHP cannot rule out the possibility that unidentified
infected patient(s) in the area may have transmitted the virus to mosquitoes in
the estate, leading to her infection.
She developed a swollen and painful left ankle on October
18, and fever and limbs joint pain on October 22. She sought medical attention
from a private doctor on the same day, and went to the Accident and Emergency
Department of Kwong Wah Hospital the following day, where her blood sample
tested positive for the chikungunya virus.
“She was admitted for
treatment in a mosquito-free environment. The patient is now in stable
condition,” it said.
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| Pindutin para sa detalye |
A preliminary investigation revealed that she visited
Qingyuan in Guangdong in late August but since she had no travel history during
the incubation period (two to 12 days prior to onset), she was classified as a
local case.
The patient has four household contacts who are currently
asymptomatic and under medical surveillance.
Preventive measures have been adopted among the CHP, the
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Wong Tai Sin District Office
(WTSDO) and Hong Kong Housing Authority.
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| PINDUTIN DITO |
The CHP sad it is implementing prevention and control
measures according to epidemiological investigations and risk assessment,
including providing medical surveillance and health advice to about 8,000 household
contacts of the case or those with common exposure to the source of infection.
The CHP urged the residents to seek medical advice or
contact the CHP immediately if they presented with a fever, rash or joint pain
since October 1.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
In addition, the CHP has set up a health consultation booth
at 2/F, Fung Tak Shopping Centre, where assessments will be provided to
residents with relevant symptoms from today. The CHP will also set up an
inquiry hotline (2125 2373), which will operate from 9am to 8pm.
