Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) is broadening its community health outreach and vector control initiatives following a recent locally acquired chikungunya fever case, emphasizing public awareness and heightened surveillance against mosquito-borne diseases. Despite recording no new chikungunya infections as of late afternoon, Nov. 7, the city is proactively mitigating transmission risks after detecting a case earlier in the week, bringing the annual total to 59 confirmed infections. The majority are imported cases, but three this year were locally acquired. The city concurrently reported two new imported dengue fever cases, underscoring the regional vulnerability to these pathogens.
Targeted Outreach Follows Local Chikungunya Case
The CHP swiftly responded to the local case identified in the Kwai Tsing District by mobilizing specialized District Services & Community Care Teams. These teams distributed preventative health materials to over 10,000 households across Mount Haven and surrounding areas, including Kwai Chung Plaza and the Shun Tak Centre precinct in Sheung Wan.
To assess potential exposure, the CHP rapidly established three dedicated health consultation booths between Nov. 3 and 5 p.m. on Nov. 7 in Tsing Yi, Kwai Fong, and Sheung Wan. In addition to on-site consultations, the effort included door-to-door visits and a public hotline. Over 13,000 residents and workers in high-risk zones were evaluated. Fourteen individuals presenting mild symptoms were tested for the virus, and all results returned negative.
Due to a significant reduction in public use, the rapid response booth located in Sheung Wan, which primarily served local workers near the Shun Tak Centre, was scheduled for closure beginning Nov. 8. The Tsing Yi and Kwai Fong booths will remain operational, adjusting hours based on need. The dedicated inquiry hotline (2125 2373) maintains daily service from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dengue Cases and Global Alarms
The CHP also confirmed two imported dengue fever cases reported between Oct. 31 and Nov. 6. The infected individuals had recently traveled to Cambodia and Zhongshan in Guangdong Province. This brings Hong Kong’s total number of imported dengue cases this year to 52. For context, 2024 saw 161 total infections, the majority imported.
Concerns surrounding mosquito-borne illnesses are heightened by worrying regional and global trends. The World Health Organization reported a dramatic surge in global dengue incidence, confirming over 14 million cases worldwide in 2024—the highest figure ever recorded. In the first seven months of 2025, over four million cases and more than 3,000 related deaths were documented across 97 countries. Key regional travel destinations remain hotspots, with Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam each registering in excess of 40,000 cases this year. Singapore reported over 3,500 cases, while neighboring Guangdong Province logged 3,013 local infections, making continuous cross-border surveillance critical.
Enhanced Mosquito Control Efforts Underway
Citywide mosquito control measures, strengthened since July, remain rigorously enforced. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, alongside partner agencies, is conducting intensive vector surveillance and intervention at sites linked to both local and imported cases.
Following the latest local chikungunya case, area-specific control immediately included intensive fogging within a 250-meter radius to eliminate adult mosquitoes. Furthermore, multi-departmental teams are carrying out weekly inspections to remove standing water, apply larvicides, and safely dispose of water-holding containers—key breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito species responsible for transmitting both dengue and chikungunya. Public education is being amplified through health talks, mobile information stations, and widespread leaflet distribution, ensuring citizens are equipped with actionable steps to protect themselves and reduce breeding sites. Authorities confirmed these enhanced measures will continue indefinitely.