28 February 2016
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) received notification last night (February 27) of two additional imported cases of Zika Virus Infection in the Mainland from the National Health and Family Planning Commission and the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province, and again urged the public, particularly pregnant women, those planning pregnancy and immunocompromised patients, to adopt strict anti-mosquito measures during travel.
According to the health authorities in the Mainland, the two cases involved a girl aged eight and her brother aged six. The patients live in Venezuela. They departed Venezuela for Guangdong and the boy developed fever during the journey. Upon their arrival at Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou on February 25, his condition was discovered by the local Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau and the sibling were then hospitalised for isolation and management. The girl was also found to have skin rash. The cases were laboratory confirmed by the Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province on February 27. At present, they were in stable condition and still hospitalised for isolation and management. The patients did not pass through Hong Kong.
"Routine health surveillance on the body temperature of inbound travellers at all boundary control points is ongoing. Suspected cases will be referred to healthcare facilities for follow-up. However, at present, around 70 to 80 per cent of infected people are asymptomatic and most can recover fully. Therefore, we again urge those arriving from Zika-affected areas to apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival to reduce the risk of transmission," the spokesman for the DH said.
The DH has been closely working with the travel industry and stakeholders, especially agents operating tours in Zika-affected areas and personnel receiving travellers in those areas (particularly pregnant women), to regularly update them on the latest disease information and health advice.
As long as there is international travel, there is always a risk of introduction of Zika virus to Hong Kong. As asymptomatic infection is very common and the potential vector, Aedes albopictus, is present locally, there is also risk of local spread in case Zika is introduced to Hong Kong.
The public should pay special attention to the countries and areas with reported autochthonous Zika virus transmission or locally acquired infection and those with indication of viral circulation earlier announced by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The DH has been maintaining close liaison with the WHO as well as overseas, neighbouring and Mainland health authorities to closely monitor the latest developments of Zika.
Locally, no human Zika cases have been reported to the CHP to date.
To prevent Zika Virus Infection, in addition to general anti-mosquito measures, the DH drew the public's attention to the special notes below:
A. Travelling abroad
B. Pregnant women and those preparing for pregnancy
C. Special notes for prevention of sexual transmission regarding potential adverse pregnancy outcomes
The public may visit the pages below for more disease information and health advice: