Update on mosquito-borne diseases, dengue fever and chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 18) reported the latest number of dengue fever (DF) cases and updated the latest situation of chikungunya fever (CF). The Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, reminded the public that due to the increase in temperature and rainfall in summer, mosquito infestation is expected to be aggravated in Hong Kong. In addition, members of the public travel more frequently during summer holidays to regions where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic. As a result, the risks of imported cases and local transmission of mosquito-borne diseases increase.
Dengue fever
From July 11 to yesterday (July 17), the CHP recorded one imported DF case. The patient had travelled to the Philippines during the incubation period.
As of yesterday, 30 imported DF cases have been recorded so far this year. A total of 161 cases of DF were recorded in 2024, including 156 imported and five local cases. In 2023, 62 imported cases of DF were recorded.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2023, over 6.5 million cases and more than 7 300 dengue-related deaths were reported in over 80 countries/territories. In 2024, the WHO recorded over 14 million cases, which was a record number.
DF is prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations. Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam have each recorded over 15 000 cases so far this year. Singapore also recorded over 2 800 cases. Meanwhile, according to the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong Province has recorded a total of 140 locally infected cases so far this year. A total of 51 cases were recorded in a week between July 7 and 13, with the highest number of cases recorded in Guangzhou, Zhongshan, Foshan and Chaozhou.
Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHPwebsite.
Chikungunya fever
There have been no CF cases in Hong Kong since 2020.
According to the WHO, CF cases have been recorded in more than 110 countries/regions. As of early June this year, over 220 000 cases had been reported in 14 countries/regions worldwide (including the Mainland, Taiwan and Singapore which are popular tourist destinations for Hong Kong citizens). Of these cases, about 80 were fatal. Furthermore, according to the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong Province has recorded a total of 481 locally infected cases in a week between July 8 and 14, and all cases were reported from Foshan (478 in Shunde and three in Chancheng).
“There are frequent imported cases of dengue fever in Hong Kong, as well as occasional sporadic local cases every year. The presence of Aedes albopictus in Hong Kong makes our population vulnerable. Regarding CF, though Aedes aegypti, the primary vector for spreading CF, is not found in Hong Kong, Aedes albopictus can also transmit CF. Imported cases of CF and DF can lead to local transmission if they are bitten by mosquitoes during the communicable period. Mosquitoes breed quickly during the hot, rainy spring and summer months. There are risks of mosquito-borne diseases outbreaks if mosquito control is inadequate. Hence, mosquito control is of paramount importance. Members of the public are advised to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and when travelling outside Hong Kong. The public is reminded that eliminating mosquito breeding sites and avoiding mosquito bites are key to preventing mosquito-borne diseases. Those returning from areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, they should seek medical advice promptly and provide their travel details to a doctor,” Dr Tsui added.
Members of the public are also reminded to take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the chikungunya fever page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook PageandYouTube Channel.
Source: AI-found images
DSJ meets with SCIA President to discuss development and collaboration in sports dispute resolution between Hong Kong and Shenzhen
The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, met with the President of the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, Dr Liu Xiaochun, in Shenzhen today (July 18) to discuss development and collaboration in the field of sports dispute resolution between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
After the meeting, Dr Cheung said that the Department of Justice (DoJ) is committed to promoting the diversified development of sports dispute resolution services in Hong Kong and is actively promoting co-operation in sports dispute resolution services between Hong Kong and the Mainland, as well as other regions overseas, with a view to building Hong Kong into a sports dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region.
Dr Cheung said that Hong Kong has always been recognised and trusted by the international community for its arbitration and mediation services, and maintains a rich pool of talent in sports dispute resolution services. Shenzhen has long been a close partner of Hong Kong in arbitration, and has been actively participating in the national development of sports arbitration in recent years. He expressed hope that Hong Kong and Shenzhen can strengthen co-operation in sports dispute resolution, giving full play to theGuangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s advantages of “one country, two systems and three jurisdictions” and promoting the development of sports dispute resolution services in the two places with innovative thinking.
Dr Cheung also mentioned that the DoJ is taking forward the pilot scheme on sports dispute resolution as announced in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” at full steam on the local level. The invitation for the industry to submit proposals for operation of the pilot scheme began at the end of last month, with the aim of identifying a suitable administering body and a technology service provider to provide a fast, reliable and neutral resolution mechanism for sports disputes. The period for submission of proposals will end on July 31 and the pilot scheme is expected to be launched in the second half of the year.
