The Center for Health Protection (CHP), a branch of the Department of Health (DH), recently released the latest update about the number of dengue fever cases in Hong Kong.
Between Sept. 25 and Oct. 1, another two dengue fever cases were confirmed. Both of these patients recently traveled in the Philippines throughout the incubation period.
“Dengue viruses encompass four different serotypes,” the spokesperson said. “The symptoms of first infection with one serotype are usually mild, but subsequent infections with other serotypes even years afterward are more likely to result in severe dengue, also known as dengue haemorrhagic fever. Severe dengue is serious and potentially fatal. Without proper treatment, the case fatality rate of severe dengue can exceed 20 percent.”
The last figures from Oct. 1 show that there has been a total of 83 dengue fever cases confirmed in 2015. One case was local, one is currently under investigation, and 81 are considered imported. This is the highest number of cases recorded when compared with the same time period throughout the last 10 years: there were just 19 cases in 2005 and 81 cases in 2014.
The CHP encourages the public to maintain strong mosquito control, environmental hygiene and personal protective measures, whether they are in local Hong Kong or traveling.
“As the dengue activity in southern Taiwan remains high, the public are reminded to take anti-mosquito measures when traveling to the area and Southeast Asian countries, in order to prevent DF,” a CHP spokesperson said.
