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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating two related imported cases of dengue fever and urges people to guard against the disease.
The first patient is a 35-year-old man who developed fever, headache, myalgia, retro-orbital pain and skin rash since August 15. He was admitted to United Christian Hospital on August 18. He was discharged on August 20 in a stable condition. This case is a confirmed dengue fever case as his blood sample tested positive for dengue virus.
The second patient is a 62-year-old man who presented with fever, headache, dizziness, vomiting and skin rash since August 12 and was admitted to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital on August 18. The patient was discharged on August 24 in a stable condition. Preliminary tests on his blood samples yielded a positive result for dengue virus. Further laboratory test results are pending, so it is still a suspected case.
The CHP's investigation revealed that both patients had travelled to Cambodia between August 4 and 9 together with 12 other collaterals. The CHP has contacted their travel collaterals and they are asymptomatic. The household contacts of the two patients are also asymptomatic.
The CHP will continue to follow up on the cases.
There have been 13 cases of dengue fever so far this year and all of them were classified as imported. A total of 79 cases of imported dengue fever and four local cases have been reported to the CHP last year.
A spokesman for the CHP urged travellers to take the following preventive measures against dengue fever:
* Wear long-sleeved tops and trousers;
* Use insect repellent on the exposed parts of the body; and
* Use mosquito screens or nets in rooms which are not air-conditioned.
Anyone feeling unwell after returning from a trip should seek medical advice as soon as possible and provide their travel details to the doctor.
The latest information on dengue fever in other places can be found under "Travel Health News" on the Hong Kong Travel Health Service website at www.travelhealth.gov.hk/eindex.html.
Travel agents, tour guides and travellers can visit the website for the latest news and advice on preventive measures.
Ends/Friday, August 26, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:19
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