More Cheung Chau infections likely

August 25, 2018

Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Wong Ka-hing:
The evolving situation in Cheung Chau is a bit worrisome, because so far we have seven Cheung Chau-related local Dengue fever infections and we expect more cases to come up in the near future. But it will be hard to predict what will be the course of the epidemic or the ultimate outcome of the epidemic. I think the most important thing is still to have prompt and extensive anti-mosquito activities.

For the Dengue vaccine, at the moment there is a type of vaccine that is licensed globally but not in Hong Kong, because this vaccine is not applicable to the situation in Hong Kong according to the World Health Organization. The recommendation by the World Health Organization is that a locality has to have a high prevalence of the Dengue fever situation or the infection, say, over 70% of the population has been infected with the Dengue virus. Then the WHO will recommend the introduction of the vaccine in that particular place. So Hong Kong is far from this situation.

More Dengue fever cases are expected in Cheung Chau in the near future, Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Wong Ka-hing said today.

Speaking to reporters, Dr Wong said the evolving situation on the island is worrisome with seven Cheung Chau-related local Dengue fever infections so far.

“It will be hard to predict what will be the course of the epidemic or the ultimate outcome of the epidemic.

“I think the most important thing is still to have prompt and extensive anti-mosquito activities.”

On vaccines for the virus, Dr Wong said there is a type of vaccine that is licensed globally but not in Hong Kong.

“The recommendation by the World Health Organization is that a locality has to have a high prevalence of the Dengue fever situation or the infection, say, over 70% of the population has been infected with the Dengue virus. So Hong Kong is far from this situation.”