Hong Kong health officials announced today they are investigating the first local case of dengue fever (DF) this year prompting encouragement for the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

Image/CDC
Image/CDC

“We are highly concerned about the local case and are working closely with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) for all-out efforts to assess and prevent any spread of infection,” Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan remarked.

The male patient, aged 58 with good past health, has presented with fever, headache, muscle pain, diarrhea and rash since around May 25 and consulted a private doctor, attended a general out-patient clinic and consulted a Chinese medicine practitioner. He subsequently attended the out-patient department of a private hospital on May 31 and was admitted for management. His fever subsided after admission. He has been in stable condition all along and was discharged today.

His blood sample tested positive for dengue antigen and IgM antibodies upon testing by the CHP’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch today.

Initial enquiries revealed that the patient lives in Grandway Garden, Sha Tin, New Territories and worked at Cheung Hing Mansion, 15 Cheung Wong Road, Prince Edward, Kowloon. He recalled frequent mosquito bites near his residence. He mainly stayed at home and went to work during the incubation period, and he also went to work after onset. He had no travel history outside Hong Kong one month before onset of symptoms.

The patient’s home contact has remained asymptomatic so far and has been put under medical surveillance.

To date, 35 DF cases have been confirmed this year including this local and 34 imported cases. In 2014, there were three local and 109 imported cases. In 2013, 103 cases were filed and all were imported.