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Press Release

CHP notified of first imported case of Zika Virus Infection in Beijing

16 May 2016

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (May 16) received notification of the first imported case of Zika Virus Infection in Beijing from the National Health and Family Planning Commission, and again urged the public to adopt strict anti-mosquito measures and safe sex during travel. Pregnant women and those planning pregnancy should not travel to affected areas.

The female patient aged 29 from Yantai, Shandong, travelled to Venezuela in April and developed fever and skin rash on May 11. She returned to Beijing on May 14, was hospitalised for management and was in stable condition.

To date, 18 imported cases of Zika Virus Infection have been notified in the Mainland.

The DH's Port Health Office has stepped up inspection at boundary control points (BCPs) to maintain strict environmental hygiene with effective mosquito control. Port Health Inspectors have reinforced training for contractors of BCPs, including the airport, harbour ports and ground crossings, on port hygiene and pest control for effective vector prevention. Health promotion in BCPs has been enhanced through pamphlets and posters to alert travellers to necessary measures against Zika.

"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," a spokesman for the DH said.

The DH has been working closely 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 the introduction of the Zika virus to Hong Kong. As asymptomatic infection is very common and the potential vector, Aedes albopictus, is present locally, there is also the risk of local spread if Zika is introduced to Hong Kong.

The public should pay special attention to areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission (affected areas) and observe the ongoing health advice and special notes during travel.

The DH has been maintaining close liaison with the World Health Organization (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 draws the public's attention to the special notes below:

A. Travelling abroad

         (i) Diagnosed with Zika or with compatible symptoms should not have sex for at least six months upon onset, or else the use of condoms should be considered;
         (ii) Without compatible symptoms should not have sex for at least two months upon return, or else the use of condoms should be considered;

B. Pregnant women and those preparing for pregnancy

C. Special notes for prevention of sexual transmission regarding adverse pregnancy outcomes

         (i) Abstain from sex with his pregnant partner, or else use condoms throughout the pregnancy; and
         (ii) Use a condom for at least six months if his female partner may get pregnant.

The public may visit the pages below for more disease information and health advice:



Last Revision Date : 16 May 2016