The Centre for Health Protection has confirmed another imported case of Japanese encephalitis, involving a 54-year-old man who contracted the disease in the Mainland.

The patient lived in Shek Kip Mei but stayed in the Mainland from May to early July this year.

He developed malaise, fever and headache on July 4 and came back to Hong Kong to seek medical treatment. He consulted a private doctor and was admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital on July 5. He was discharged on July 20.

Blood tests showed he had Japanese encephalitis.

As the patient had travelled outside Hong Kong during the whole incubation period, the case was classified as an imported one.

His home contacts have no symptoms of infections and are under medical surveillance.

Prevent mosquito breeding

Japanese encephalitis is transmitted by Culicine mosquitoes. People are reminded to take measures to prevent mosquito breeding by removing stagnant water.

When visiting areas with mosquito-transmitted diseases, they should:

* Wear long-sleeved clothes and trousers;

* Use insect repellent over exposed parts of the body when outdoors; and

* Use mosquito screens or nets when the room is not air-conditioned.

Travellers who fall sick after returning from endemic areas should consult a doctor promptly and give details of their travel history.

Details of the preventive measures against Japanese encephalitis are available from the centre's website and Department of Health's website.