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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 3) reported the latest epidemiological investigation into a case of dengue fever (DF) affecting a man aged 22 announced last night (November 2).
The patient today admitted travel history to Guangdong. He visited Zhongtang, Dongguan, on October 18 and Shenzhen on October 20 and 21. According to the Guangdong health authority, locally acquired DF cases were reported in Dongguan and Shenzhen.
The CHP's officers continued their field investigations, including site visits, questionnaire surveys and health education activities at the patient's residence in Yau Oi Estate, Tuen Mun, and his workplace in a construction site near Nui Po Shan, Tai Shui Hang Village, Sha Tin. As of 5pm, 149 questionnaires had been collected; none reported compatible symptoms and seven (including four household contacts of the patient) required blood taking.
A joint health talk was also held at 11am today in Yau Oi Square, Yau Oi Estate, to deliver health advice to residents and the public. The CHP liaised with the management of the construction site and a joint health talk with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will be convened tomorrow (November 4) to deliver health advice to the staff.
"As the patient had travel history during the incubation period, investigations are ongoing in an attempt to ascertain the source of infection," a spokesman for the CHP said.
"We have also informed the health authority of Guangdong according to the established mechanism," the spokesman added.
Excluding this case, to date, 97 DF cases had been confirmed this year, comprising one local case, 95 imported cases and one unclassified case. In 2014, there were three local cases and 109 imported cases. In 2013, 103 cases were filed and all were imported.
Persons who have been to the vicinity of Yau Oi Estate or Tai Shui Hang Village with dengue symptoms should call the CHP's DF hotline (2125 1133) for laboratory investigation or referral to hospital as appropriate. The hotline operates from 9am to 6pm.
For more information on DF, please visit the CHP's DF page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/38847.html).
Ends/Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:09
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