The Centre for Health Protection has confirmed today an imported case of Chikungunya fever involving a 44-year-old man who came down with fever and mild sore throat on December 26 when he was in Malaysia.

He arrived in Hong Kong on December 29 and was admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital on the same day. He recovered and was discharged a day later. His seven travel companions did not have any symptoms.

The Chikungunya virus is transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes. Its symptoms include fever, headache, and joint pain of the wrist, knee, ankle, and small joints.

Epidemics have occurred in Africa, Asia and Indian Ocean Islands. The incubation period is one to 12 days. People should be on guard against mosquito-borne diseases when travelling overseas.

There were two imported cases of Chikungunya fever confirmed last year. Click here for more health tips.