Hong Kong health authorities today reiterated their appeal for people, especially those travelling abroad, to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes, as two new imported cases of dengue fever were reported during the Christmas holidays -- one of them arriving from the Philippines.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of
Health (DH) is monitoring mosquito-borne diseases dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya
fever (CF) because temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions
(including neighboring Southeast Asian countries) remain favorable for mosquito
breeding, CHP Controller Dr Edwin Tsui said
Dr Tsui reminded people travelling to areas affected by
mosquito-borne diseases to prevent mosquito bites by wearing loose, light-colored,
long-sleeved tops and trousers and applying insect repellent containing DEET to
clothing or exposed parts of the body.
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During Dec. 19-25, the CHP recorded two imported dengue cases,
one each from the Philippines and Cambodia, bringing the number of imported DF
cases to 59 so far this year. Last year, 161 cases of DF were recorded, 156 of
them imported and five local cases.
DF is prevalent in tourist destinations such as Indonesia, India and Vietnam which have recorded over 100,000 cases so far this year; Malaysia and Thailand with over 40 000 cases; and Singapore, over 3 500 cases. The Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded 3,579 locally infected cases so far this year.
While no new cases of chikungunya fever were recorded during
the holidays, Hong Kong already has 81 confirmed CF cases this year, 11 of them
local cases and the rest imported.
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Some local cases of CF were found to have visited the Tsing
Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area, prompting the government to close the
trails until further notice.
The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently
hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as
possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline
(Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has
been conducting fogging operations along Tsing Yi Nature Trails and surrounding
areas.
The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices,
cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied
larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed
immediately.
The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District
Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen
efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi
Nature Trails.
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to help in mosquito
control measures early, removing potential breeding places in their homes,
changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in
saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of
containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems.
