The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced Friday the number of imported dengue fever cases seen in the city last week, in light of the outbreak in South China.

Hong Kong/CIA
Hong Kong/CIA

As of October 9, there have been 76 confirmed cases of dengue fever in Hong Kong this year, which were all imported cases. Six new cases were reported from October 3 to October 9 involving patients who had traveled to Guangzhou (four cases), Thailand (one case) and Malaysia (one case) during the incubation period.

The Guangdong Province health authorities reported an additional  1,340 new dengue cases on Friday, bringing the total cases to 28,851.

The provincial capital of Guangzhou, where four imported cases to Hong Kong were reported, is up to 24,485 total cases, by far the worst hit city in the province.

Six fatalities have been reported in the current outbreak to date, 5 from Guangzhou.

Hong Kong CHP officials advise travelers to follow these preventive measures: Wear loose, light-colored, long-sleeved tops and trousers; use DEET-containing insect repellent on exposed parts of the body and clothing;  use mosquito screens or nets in rooms that are not air-conditioned and finally, anyone feeling unwell after returning from a trip should seek medical advice as soon as possible and provide travel details to their doctor.