Update on chikungunya fever; one case recorded in Ho Chung Village, Sai Kung

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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that as of 5:00 pm yesterday (18/10), two new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.

The first case involves a 17-year-old female living in Ho Chung New Village, Sai Kung. A preliminary investigation revealed that she visited Foshan in Guangdong province between 10 and 12 October. She developed a fever, joint pain and rash on 16 October, and sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of Tseung Kwan O Hospital on the same day. The patient’s three household contacts, who travelled with her to Foshan, are currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance.
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The second case involves a 55-year-old male living in Kwai Tsing District. A preliminary investigation revealed that he visited Qingyuan in Guangdong province alone from 8 to 13 October. He has developed fever and joint pain since 15 October. He sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of Prince Margaret Hospital on 17 October. The patient has three household contacts, who are currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance.

Both patients were admitted to the hospital for treatment in a mosquito-free environment and are in stable condition. Their blood samples tested positive for the CF virus upon laboratory testing. Since they stayed in Guangdong Province during their incubation periods, the CHP considered that they were infected during travel. The cases were classified as imported. The CHP’s epidemiological investigations are ongoing, and it has reported the cases to the health authority of Guangdong Province.

So far this year, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 41 confirmed CF cases. All are imported cases. From 2016 to 2019, Hong Kong recorded between one and 11 imported cases annually.

Since the beginning of 2025, and as of September 30, a total of 445,271 suspected and confirmed CF cases and 155 CF-related deaths have been reported in 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. CF outbreaks currently occur in many countries worldwide. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad.