The Department of Health’s Centre for Health Protection recorded on Sunday Hong Kong's first locally acquired chikungunya fever case as authorities enhanced infection control measures to prevent the spread of the mosquito-borne virus.

The CHP said the case involved an 82-year-old female living in Fung Tak Estate in Wong Tai Sin while her four household contacts are currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance.

“Given that the activity areas of the 82-year-old patient are primarily within the estate, the CHP cannot rule out the possibility that unidentified infected patients in the area may have transmitted the virus to mosquitoes in the estate, leading to her infection,” the agency said.

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CHP officers and District Services & Community Care Teams will contact about 8,000 households and carry out surveys to understand and follow up health conditions.

The center added that none of the 46 other patients who got infected with chikungunya outside the city lived near the elderly woman.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the woman visited Qingyuan in Guangdong in late August, but had no travel history during the incubation period, which is two to 12 days prior to onset.

The patient had developed a swollen and painful left ankle since Oct 18, then a fever and limbs joint pain on Oct 22. She sought medical attention from a private doctor that day and attended Kwong Wah Hospital’s accident and emergency department the next day.

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She was admitted for treatment in a mosquito-free environment. The patient is now in stable condition, the CHP said.

It urged residents to seek medical advice or contact the center immediately if they developed a fever, rash or joint pain since Oct 1.

The CHP said it has also set up a health consultation booth at 2/F, Fung Tak Shopping Centre, where assessments will be provided to residents with relevant symptoms.