The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today investigating a local case of dengue fever (DF), and hence again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, anti-mosquito  and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

Hong Kong/CIA
Hong Kong/CIA

The female patient, aged 40 with underlying illness, has presented with fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhea since August 27. She attended Ruttonjee Hospital (RH) and was admitted on August 29 and discharged today. She has all along been in stable condition.

Testing of her blood specimen by the CHP’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch today confirmed dengue virus infection.

Initial inquiries revealed that the patient lives in Conduit Road, Mid-levels. She had no recent travel history. During the incubation period, the patient had visited Graham Street Market almost daily via the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System.

Her home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far and have been put under medical surveillance.

“The CHP immediately commenced epidemiological investigations and promptly informed the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) for vector investigation and mosquito control. Investigations and health education in vicinities where the patient frequented are proceeding,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

Officers of the CHP will conduct site visit and field investigations by questionnaire surveys at the patient’s residence for active case finding and arranging blood tests.

“Further to the first two locally acquired DF cases this year reported in August, we are conducting extensive investigations with FEHD to ascertain if this case is linked with the previous two cases with a view to controlling the possible spread,” the spokesman said.

Persons who have been to the vicinity of Conduit Road, Central-Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System, Shelley Street, Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens and Graham Street Market with DF symptoms should call the CHP’s hotline (2125 2266) for laboratory investigation or referral as appropriate. The hotline will operate from 9am to 6pm between Monday and Friday to receive inquires.

To date, 87 DF cases have been confirmed in 2016, comprising 84 imported and three local cases.