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This year's first case of Dengue fever contracted locally has been confirmed. The Government has urged people to take vigorous preventive measures against mosquito breeding to prevent further cases.
Forty-two confirmed cases have been reported this year. All were imported but for the latest one.
Contact tracing, control measures in place
The patient's family and work contacts have been traced by the Department of Health and they are asymptomatic. However, as a precautionary measure, they are under close medical surveillance.
Health and Food & Environmental Hygiene officers visited the patient's residence in Yuen Kong Village and workplace at Kwai Chung Container Terminal today for epidemiological survey and comprehensive mosquito control action.
Consultant (Community Medicine) Dr Thomas Tsang said the case involved a 26-year-old man who fell ill on September 27 with fever, headache, muscle pain and skin rash.
He was admitted to Yan Chai Hospital on October 2, and is now convalescing at home.
Hotline set up, medical profession alerted
The health department has set up a special hotline (2961 8966) for reporting cases, health advice and counselling. People who lived or visited Yuen Kong Village and Kwai Chung Container Terminal on or after August 15 and who developed symptoms within 14 days of the visit are advised to call the hotline.
The hotline is manned by health nurses up to 9pm tonight. It will be manned from 9am to 5pm from tomorrow until further notice.
The department is also alerting the medical field.
All-out strategy to fight Dengue fever
Food & Environmental Hygiene Department Consultant (Risk Assessment & Communication) Dr YY Ho said Government departments have been working closely in an all-out effort to prevent the proliferation of mosquitoes.
"The department has increased its manpower resources to tackle the mosquito problem. An extra 704 staff have been deployed to carry out anti-mosquito operations in various districts," Dr Ho said.
Apart from daily anti-mosquito operations, the department has launched the yearly Hong Kong-wide anti-mosquito campaign. Monitoring of mosquito breeding has been strengthened by announcing the area ovitrap index on a monthly basis to update the public on the mosquito breeding situation.
Multi-lingual anti-mosquito messages have been uploaded onto the department's website http://www.fehd.gov.hk.
Take precautions
"The risk of contracting Dengue fever can only be effectively minimised should anti-mosquito measures be strictly observed by every member of the community," Dr Ho said.
He reminded people to clear stagnant water in their homes and surrounding areas. They should also:
* Put all used cans and bottles into covered dustbins;
* Change water for plants at least once a week, leaving no water in the saucers underneath flowerpots;
* Cover tightly all water containers, wells and water storage tanks; and,
* Keep all drains free from blockage.
People should also:
* Wear long-sleeved clothes and long trousers;
* Use insect repellent over the exposed parts of the body; and,
* Use mosquito screens or nets when the room is not air-conditioned.
Information on Dengue fever is available at the Department of Health's website and information on mosquito control at the Food & Environmental Protection Department's website.
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