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Ng Kang-chung

Hong Kong’s health authorities will hold a special meeting this week to map out anti-mosquito measures to be implemented over the coming two months following fears that a woman may have become the first person this year to have contracted dengue fever locally.
The move was announced by Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man on Sunday after the woman, who lives on Caine Road in Mid-Levels, reported that she had been bitten by a mosquito in the Zoological and Botanical Gardens in Central.
Alert: Hong Kong health experts fear first local dengue fever case of the year
She was confirmed to have dengue fever and is in a a stable condition in a private hospital.
Dr Ko warned the public against taking the risk of a possible outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases too lightly.

However, he stressed that it could not be certain it was a local or imported case because the patient, 60, had also visited Guangzhou.
“To play it safe, we will take [anti-mosquito measures] as if it was a local case,” Dr Ko said.
The woman visits the botanical gardens regularly. She also travelled alone to Guangzhou late last month and recalled that she had been bitten by a mosquito in both the gardens and in Guangzhou, according to the Centre for Health Protection, which questioned residents living in her building.
Dengue fever, an acute mosquito-borne infection caused by the dengue virus, can result in sudden high fever, severe headaches and joint and muscle pain. In serious cases, the disease can be fatal.
It normally manifests itself four to six days after infection.
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department officers were sent to the gardens to spray the lawn and grass. Parents taking their children there for a Sunday outing said they had used mosquito repellent.
Hong Kong hygiene authorities carry out anti-mosquito operation after insect tests positive for Japanese encephalitis
Apart from the dengue fever case, Dr Ko also highlighted a recent report in which a sample of a mosquito collected in June in Ta Kwu Ling in the northern New Territories tested positive for the Japanese encephalitis virus.
The disease, transmitted by bites from infected mosquitoes, can prompt fever, headache and an impaired mental state, and in worst case conditions a coma, paralysis and even death.
Dr Ko also warned of possible imported Zika cases when visitors, athletes and supporting staff return from the Rio Olympic Games, which end on August 21.
“In the wake of all this, there is a need for us to step up our mosquito control work in the next two months,” Dr Ko said, “The interdepartmental coordinating committee on mosquito-borne diseases will call a meeting this week with various departments and bureaus to review and step up work on mosquitoes.”
The Centre for Health Protection hotline (2125 2266) received one inquiry from someone who had recently visited Caine Road or the botanical gardens on its first day of operation on Sunday. No health issue was involved.
There have been 69 confirmed dengue fever cases reported so far this year. All but one were imported cases.
Last year, 114 cases were confirmed. Most were imported. Just two were local cases and the same number could not be classified. In 2014, there were three local and 109 imported cases.


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Hong Kong health authorities to map out anti-mosquito measures following fears that woman may have contracted dengue fever locally

Government staff take action against mosquitoes in the New Territories in 2013. Photo: SCMP Pictures

A large numbers of mosquitoes are present in the area of Tai Wai where is the most mosquito-infested district in Hong Kong. 15 June 2004

News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

Health minister Ko Wing-man says there is uncertainty over case as woman reported she was bitten both in the botanical gardens in Central and in Guangzhou
