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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 14) provided an update on the number of cases of dengue fever (DF) in Hong Kong, and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures.
From August 7 to 13, four additional confirmed cases were recorded. The patients travelled to Indonesia (one case), Malaysia (one case), India (one case) and multiple countries including Dominican Republic, Dubai and Hungary (one case) during the incubation period.
As of August 13, a total of 58 cases had been confirmed this year, comprising a local case and 57 imported cases.
"We have been closely monitoring the latest DF situation in neighbouring and overseas areas and noted the recent sustained high level of DF activity in southern Taiwan," a spokesman for the CHP said.
According to the health authority of Taiwan, 1 110 DF cases have been recorded to date in 2015, comprising 963 local and 147 imported cases. Among the local cases, 733 were reported in Tainan while 204 were in Kaoshiung.
Regarding popular tourist attractions in Asia, 70 680 DF cases have been recorded in Malaysia so far this year, 40 593 in the Philippines, 48 358 in Thailand, 21 154 in Vietnam, 5 794 in Singapore and 137 in Japan. Turning to neighbouring areas, 30 cases have been recorded in Guangdong as of May 26 and one was recorded in Macau. In the Americas, 1 319 957 were filed in Brazil and 61 520 in Mexico.
"Dengue viruses encompass four different serotypes. The symptoms of first infection with one serotype are usually mild, but subsequent infections with other serotypes even years afterward are more likely to result in severe dengue (also known as dengue haemorrhagic fever). Severe dengue is serious and potentially fatal. Without proper treatment, the case fatality rate of severe dengue can exceed 20 per cent," a spokesman for the CHP said.
"According to the World Health Organization, although clinical trials on humans for some dengue vaccine candidates are ongoing, none are now available and registered with any drug regulatory authorities. Strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures hence remain the most effective means against DF both locally and during travel," the spokesman added.
Travellers are urged to stay alert to the DF risk of travel destinations before departing and take heed of the preventive measures below:
* Wear loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers, and use DEET-containing insect repellent on exposed parts of the body and clothing;
* Avoid using fragrant cosmetics or skin care products and re-apply insect repellents according to instructions in outdoor activities;
* Before the trip, arrange travel health consultation at least six weeks in advance for any extra measures against mosquito bites; and
* During the trip, carry a portable bed net and apply permethrin (an insecticide) on it in rural endemic areas. Permethrin should not be applied to skin.
The incubation period of DF ranges from three to 14 days, commonly four to seven days. Anyone feeling unwell after returning from a trip should seek medical advice as soon as possible and provide travel details to their doctors.
Members of the public should also prevent the accumulation of stagnant water and maintain good environmental hygiene:
* Change the water in vases once a week;
* Clear the water in saucers under potted plants every week;
* Cover water containers tightly;
* Ensure air-conditioner drip trays are free of stagnant water;
* Put all used cans and bottles into covered dustbins; and
* Store food and dispose of garbage properly.
Members of the public are reminded to make reports to government departments via the hotline 1823 if mosquito problems are detected, and may visit the pages below for more information:
* The CHP's DF page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/38847.html);
* The DF page of the DH's Travel Health Service (www.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/popup/popup_dengue.html);
* The DH's latest Travel Health News (www.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/outbreaknews/outbreaknews.html);
* The CHP's tips for using insect repellents (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/38927.html);
* The CHP Facebook Page (www.fb.com/CentreforHealthProtection);
* The CHP YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/c/ChpGovHkChannel); and
* The FEHD's Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/safefood/handbook_prev_mos_breeding.html).
Ends/Friday, August 14, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:04
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