Hong Kong Reports Three New Chikungunya Cases, One Linked to Locally Acquired Infection

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has confirmed three additional chikungunya fever cases in Hong Kong, including one involving a female patient who works at a school in Fung Tak Estate. Authorities are investigating potential epidemiological links to the city's first locally acquired case.

Among the new cases, a 55-year-old female patient residing in Tsz On Estate, Wong Tai Sin, works at Lui Xian Catholic Secondary School in Fung Tak Estate. The CHP identified her infection during proactive contact tracing following the initial local case. She had travelled to Shanwei and Shenzhen earlier this month and developed fever, rash, and joint pain starting last Friday. Three household contacts who accompanied her to Shanwei have shown no symptoms so far. The centre will conduct genomic sequencing of the virus to determine any connection to the confirmed local case.

At a medical station set up in Fung Tak Shopping Centre, the CHP has assessed around 1,300 residents, with seven exhibiting relevant symptoms and undergoing blood tests.

On Monday, Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr. Chow, accompanied by the Director of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and other officials, inspected enhanced chikungunya prevention efforts in the Fung Tak Estate area. He emphasised that authorities would intensify mosquito control measures and urged the public to support and cooperate. The Supervising Board on Control of Rodent and Vector Infestations also convened a special meeting to bolster cross-departmental prevention and control strategies.

The remaining two cases involve a male and a female patient. A 67-year-old male resident of Yat Tung Estate in Tung Chung returned from Foshan last Friday and sought medical attention for fever and joint pain, leading to his diagnosis. Meanwhile, a 76-year-old female resident of Hau Tak Estate in Tseung Kwan O had visited Guangzhou and Huizhou from October 17 to 26; she presented with fever and joint pain upon returning to Hong Kong and was hospitalised. The CHP classifies both as imported cases, acquired during their travels abroad.