The Department of Health’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) today recorded one new local case of chikungunya fever (CF) involving a 45-year-old man living in Kwai Tsing District and working in Sheung Wan.

According to the CHP, the patient developed a fever, joint pain and rash on October 30, and sought medical attention from a private doctor on November 1. He was then referred to Princess Margaret Hospital’s accident and emergency department and admitted for treatment in a mosquito-free environment that day. He is in a stable condition. His blood sample tested positive for the chikungunya virus.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the patient had no travel history in the preceding three months. The CHP has classified it as a local case.

The investigation also found that during the incubation period, the patient did not visit Wong Tai Sin where two other local CF cases were logged. However, there is an overlap in the patient’s residence and usual activity areas with certain imported cases. As such, the CHP will carry out a genome analysis to ascertain whether the new case has an epidemiological linkage with the earlier imported cases.

In response to the new local case, the CHP today had an inter-departmental meeting with various departments and relevant organisations, including the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and Kwai Tsing District Office to ensure that all units implement preventive and control measures in a speedy and orderly manner. The CHP and FEHD also inspected various locations in the vicinity of the patient’s residence, as well as conducted vector investigations and mosquito control operations in order to minimise the risk of local transmission.

Additionally, the CHP will set up health consultation booths at Kwai Fong Estate, Cheung Hang Estate and Sheung Wan tomorrow to provide assessments to citizens with relevant symptoms.