18 April 2014
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 18) investigating three linked imported cases of dengue fever and urged people to guard against the disease.
The first patient is a 64-year-old man with underlying illness. He developed fever, rash, nausea and myalgia since April 11. The second patient is the first patient's 64-year-old wife with underlying illness, who developed malaise, myalgia and rash since April 11.
Both were admitted to a private hospital on April 15 and were discharged on April 17. They are in stable condition.
The third patient is their 31-year-old son with good past health. He developed similar symptoms since April 11 and was admitted to the same private hospital on April 15. He is in stable condition.
Their blood samples were all positive for dengue NS1 antigen upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch.
The CHP investigation revealed that they had travelled to Jakarta, Indonesia between April 2 and 7. One other travel collateral, a 60-year-old man, had developed vomiting and rash while in Jakarta but he had no fever. He did not seek medical attention and had recovered. His travelling period was from April 2 to 16. Investigations are on-going.
There have been 15 confirmed cases of dengue fever in 2014, and they were all imported cases. Last year 103 cases of imported dengue fever were reported to the CHP, with no local cases.
A spokesman for the CHP urged travellers to take the following preventive measures against dengue fever:
Anyone feeling unwell after returning from a trip should seek medical advice as soon as possible and provide travel details to their doctor.
The latest information on dengue fever in other places can be found under "Travel Health News" on the Hong Kong Travel Health Service website at
www.travelhealth.gov.hk/eindex.html
.
Travel agents, tour guides and travellers can visit the website for the latest news and advice on preventive measures.