Rise in Transmission Potential of Chikungunya Fever in Hong Kong Signaled by First Case in Six Years
First Case of Chikungunya Fever in Hong Kong Since 2019 Confirmed
Hong Kong has reported its first case of Chikungunya fever since 2019, marking an imported case from mainland China. The patient, a 12-year-old boy, contracted the disease during his travel to the Shunde district in Foshan, Guangdong province.
The boy visited Foshan between July 17 and 30, and developed symptoms shortly after returning. He is accompanied by his mother during the travel. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) confirmed the case on Saturday, but the boy remains in stable condition. No secondary cases have been detected in his family or community so far.
The surge in Chikungunya fever infections has been recorded in neighbouring Guangdong province, with thousands of cases reported mainly in Foshan and surrounding cities. This outbreak in Foshan is what led to the infection of the boy in Hong Kong.
Health authorities in Hong Kong have issued warnings that there is a "medium to high risk" of local Chikungunya transmission due to the presence of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit the virus. Although Aedes aegypti, the primary vector, is not found in Hong Kong, the common presence of Aedes albopictus creates concern for potential local spread if imported cases are bitten by local mosquitoes during their infectious period.
The CHP is on high alert, emphasizing mosquito control measures and avoidance of mosquito bites to prevent local outbreaks. The situation remains under close surveillance, but as of the latest updates in early August 2025, no confirmed local Chikungunya fever transmissions in Hong Kong have been reported since the first imported case.
It is important to note that this is not the first imported case from mainland China since 2019. However, the current case is the first local case since 2019, but it is an imported one. Chikungunya fever is a mosquito-borne disease, and it is crucial to take precautions when traveling to areas with a high risk of infection.
In conclusion, while the first case of Chikungunya fever in Hong Kong since 2019 serves as a reminder of the potential for the disease to be transmitted locally, the current case is an imported one. Health authorities in Hong Kong continue to monitor the situation closely and remind the public to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites and prevent further spread of the disease.
- The surge in Chikungunya fever cases in Guangdong province, particularly in Foshan, demonstrates the role science plays in understanding disease spread, as it was likely the source of the imported case in Hong Kong.
- To reduce the risk of local Chikungunya transmission in Hong Kong, health authorities emphasize both health-and-wellness practices such as mosquito avoidance, and science-based initiatives such as mosquito control measures, to prevent potential outbreaks.
