The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is reporting an additional dengue fever (DF) case, the 16th locally acquired case in the urban center.

Hong Kong/CIA
Hong Kong/CIA

The most recent case involves  a 52-year-old male patient with underlying illness, who developed fever, headache, retro-orbital pain, myalgia and skin rash since August 15. He sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of St John Hospital on August 18 and was subsequently admitted to Queen Mary Hospital on the same day. He is currently in a stable condition.

Initial inquiries revealed that the patient lives in Tsan Tuen Road in Cheung Chau and recalled history of mosquito bite in Fa Peng Road in Cheung Chau. During the incubation period, the patient had travelled to Dongguan in Guangdong for a day trip.

Unlike the 15 previous cases reported that all tested positive for dengue virus serotype 1, this case tested positive for dengue virus serotype 3.

“The CHP, together with the FEHD, will arrange a health talk in Cheung Chau. In addition, two health talks will be held at Kai Tak Community Hall (3pm) and Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre (noon) tomorrow (August 20) to deliver health advice. The CHP has also provided information and details of geographical distribution on the local DF cases on the CHP’s designated webpage for DF to facilitate handy access of information for the public,” the spokesman said.

“The CHP appeals to members of the public not to visit Lion Rock Park during the closure period in order to prevent contracting DF. People who had visited Lion Rock Park are advised to apply insect repellent for 14 days upon their last visit, and those with DF symptoms should seek medical advice as early as possible,” the spokesman said.

Persons who have been to the vicinity of Wong Tai Sin (particularly Lion Rock Park), Kwai Shing West Estate, Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Cheung Chau (Hillside Road, Tsan Tuen Road and Fa Peng Road), Highland Park, Sai Tso Wan Recreation Ground, Wing Yiu Street, Tak Long Estate, Portland Street, Shanghai Street and Greenfield Garden with DF symptoms should call the CHP’s hotline (2125 1122) for laboratory investigation or referral as appropriate. The hotline operates from 9am to 5.45pm daily. Since August 14 to 5pm today, 91 enquiries had been received.

Dengue fever is an infectious disease carried by mosquitoes and caused by any of four related dengue viruses. This disease used to be called “break-bone fever” because it sometimes causes severe joint and muscle pain that feels like bones are breaking.

People get the dengue virus from the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. It is not contagious from person to person.

There are three types of dengue fever in order of less severe to most: the typical uncomplicated dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHS) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS).