Hong Kong health officials are investigating a confirmed local case of dengue fever (DF) today in a 22-year-old male patient. This is the second confirmed local transmission of the mosquito borne virus this year in the city.

Hong Kong/CIA
Hong Kong/CIA

The patient with good past health, has developed fever, headache, muscle pain and rash since October 27. He consulted a private doctor in Tuen Mun on October 28 and 29 and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) where he was admitted to the Observation Room on October 31. He discharged against medical advice on November 1. The patient is still febrile and has been arranged to be readmitted to TMH tonight. He has been in stable condition all along.

His blood specimen tested positive for dengue virus NS1 antigen upon testing by the CHP’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch today.

Initial inquiries revealed that the patient lives in Yau Oi Estate, Tuen Mun, and worked in a construction site near Tai Shui Hang Village, Sha Tin. He recalled frequent mosquito bites at his workplace. According to the patient, he has no travel history during the incubation period.

“Upon notification and laboratory confirmation, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) immediately commenced epidemiological investigations and promptly informed the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) for vector investigation and mosquito control. As a precautionary measure, the CHP’s investigations and health education in the vicinity where the patient frequented are proceeding,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

To date, a total of 98 DF cases had been confirmed this year, comprising two local cases (including this case), 95 imported cases and one unclassified case. In 2014, there were three local and 109 imported cases. In 2013, 103 cases were filed and all were imported.