The Department of Health’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) today said it is investigating an imported chikungunya fever (CF) case, the first such case recorded in Hong Kong this year.

The case involves a 12-year-old boy with good past health. He travelled to Foshan in Guangdong Province between July 17 and 30, and recalled a history of mosquito bites during the stay.

The boy developed a fever, rash and joint pain since July 31 and sought medical attention from a private doctor on the same day. He was referred to United Christian Hospital's accident and emergency department the next day.

His blood sample tested positive for the CF virus upon laboratory testing. The patient is now in a stable condition.

The patient's household contacts, including one travel collateral, are currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance. 

Head of the CHP’s Communicable Disease Branch Dr Albert Au told reporters that CF is not transmitted from person to person and is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of female Aedes mosquitoes carrying the CF virus.

He noted that severe or fatal cases caused by CF are rare and the symptoms are milder than that of Dengue Fever, and most patients recover on their own.

Eliminating mosquito breeding sites and avoiding mosquito bites are the most effective measures. People who feel unwell should seek medical advice promptly and not self-medicate, he added.