23 Sep 2010
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a suspected local case of dengue fever involving a two-year-old girl living in Deep Water Bay. She is the neighbour of the 46-year-old man confirmed to have acquired dengue fever locally earlier.
Her blood samples, obtained during CHP's investigation into the dengue fever case yesterday, were tested positive to Dengue virus IgM this evening (September 23). Confirmatory tests will be conducted.
The girl developed fever and abdominal pain on August 31 and recovered after consulting private doctors. Her household contacts were asymptomatic all along. Blood specimens taken from her mother and two domestic helpers were tested negative. Screening blood test results for her father and two sisters, aged nine months and two respectively, will be arranged.
The girl did not have travel history during incubation period, but had travelled to Sweden and France with family members between June 25 and August 9.
The girl is studying in ESF International Kindergarten (Hillside) at Stubbs Road. She did not go to school during the period when she had fever. The CHP will distribute questionnaires to the children attending this school and the people living nearby. Blood tests will be arranged if necessary.
Students of this school and people living nearby are advised to seek medical advice if they have symptoms compatible with dengue fever.
Investigation continues.
The CHP appealed to the members of the public again to guard against dengue fever by taking preventive measures against mosquito breeding and the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.