Health authorities strengthened anti-mosquito measures in Hong Kong even as no new chikungunya infection was recorded in the city as of late Sunday afternoon.
In a statement, the Center for Health Protection said there were no new cases as of 5 pm Sunday as it urged members of the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and when travelling outside of Hong Kong.
On Saturday, the CHP said a 12-year-old boy in Hong Kong came down with chikungunya fever – the first case reported in the city in six years. From 2016 to 2019, between one and 11 chikungunya cases were recorded in the city each year, all of which were imported.
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The CHP urged doctors to immediately refer to hospitals patients suspected of having chikungunya fever for treatment and to report their infection to the Department of Health.
Albert Au Ka-wing, head of the Communicable Disease Branch of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, reminded residents returning from areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases to apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong.
They should closely observe personal health conditions, in particular symptoms such as fever, joint pain and rash, Au said.
If they feel unwell, they should also seek medical advice promptly and provide their travel details to the doctor for clinical diagnosis, he added.
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Meanwhile, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has intensified anti-mosquito measures at the residence of the 12-year-old patient and the locations he visited after the onset of his illness.
The FEHD appealed to residents to continue to stay alert and carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds.
The department also advised members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water.
They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs, the FEHD added.
