HONG KONG – The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) confirmed a new locally acquired case of Chikungunya in Hong Kong, prompting the immediate closure of a popular recreational area in a significant escalation of anti-mosquito efforts. A 40-year-old male resident of Tuen Mun tested positive for the virus after reporting symptoms indicative of the disease. In response, officials have sealed off the Tsing Yi Nature Trails indefinitely to conduct accelerated, large-scale chemical mosquito abatement and containment operations, following evidence suggesting the patient was infected during a recent hike there.
Community Transmission Confirmed in Tuen Mun Resident
The patient began experiencing joint pain and fever on December 4 and 5, followed by the onset of a rash two days later. He sought treatment at Tuen Mun Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department on December 9 and was admitted to a strictly mosquito-free environment in stable condition. Subsequent blood tests confirmed the presence of the Chikungunya virus.
Crucially, the man had no recent travel history, confirming a local transmission. Investigations pinpointed a hike on November 30 along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails, which he undertook with 11 companions, as the likely exposure event. The patient specifically recalled receiving mosquito bites during the outing. Although extensive epidemiological tracing showed no overlap with locations visited by previous confirmed cases, the connection to the Tsing Yi area strongly suggests this new infection is linked to the active local cluster identified there.
This new case raises the city’s cumulative total to 79 Chikungunya cases this year, with 11 now designated as locally acquired. All household and hiking contacts of the confirmed patient are currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance.
Interdepartmental Efforts Intensify Vector Control
In anticipation of increased transmission risk, the CHP convened an urgent meeting on December 8 with several key government departments, including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Drainage Services Department, and the Lands Department. This collaborative effort aims to significantly intensify anti-mosquito measures across the affected region.
Control measures at the closed Tsing Yi Nature Trails include extensive fogging to eliminate adult mosquitoes, deployment of ultra-low volume sprayers, and the introduction of advanced robotic mosquito-control devices. Elsewhere in the district, joint operations are underway to eliminate potential breeding sites by removing refuse, clearing water-holding containers, and applying larvicides where stagnant water cannot be drained.
Public Health Advisories and Preventive Measures
Health authorities are urging the public to strictly observe the closure of the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and to seek immediate medical attention if they visited the area recently and develop symptoms such as joint pain, fever, or rash. A dedicated public health hotline (2125 2373) has been activated for inquiries and reporting of concerns.
Citywide, the FEHD has maintained heightened mosquito surveillance and control since July. For known local cases, immediate follow-up protocols involve intensive anti-vector efforts within a 250-meter radius, accompanied by public education drives.
The most effective preventative measure for individuals remains strict adherence to personal protection practices:
- Apply Repellent: Use effective insect repellents containing active ingredients like DEET, IR3535, or picaridin (icaridin) to all exposed skin and clothing when spending time outdoors, particularly in high-risk environments.
- Application Protocol: Apply sunscreen before repellent. Follow product instructions precisely regarding reapplication frequency.
- Special Considerations: Pregnant individuals should use repellents with no more than 30% DEET concentration. Children aged two months and older travelling to disease-risk areas may use up to 30% concentration, while standard usage for children is generally limited to 10% DEET.
Healthcare providers citywide have been alerted to maintain a high degree of vigilance, utilize free laboratory testing for suspected cases, and report findings promptly to the CHP. The ongoing containment strategy emphasizes both environmental cleanup and robust clinical monitoring to prevent further spread of the mosquito-borne illness.