August 29, 2001
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 29) urged members of the public, especially those planning to travel outside Hong Kong, to be on guard against dengue fever and other mosquito transmitted diseases.
A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said: "In the light of a cluster of dengue fever cases reported in Macao, the Government is maintaining close contact with the Macao authorities and is monitoring the situation closely."
"The Department of Health and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will coordinate an inter-departmental response plan and strengthen preventive and control measures, particularly enhanced mosquito control measures, disease surveillance, public education and travel advice."
"Seven imported cases of dengue fever were reported in Hong Kong in the first seven months of this (2001) year and all of the cases recovered."
"Hong Kong has not recorded any local dengue fever cases."
Dengue fever is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus. The virus is transmitted by infective mosquitoes that bite particularly during the day. Dengue fever does not transmit directly from person to person.
To prevent contracting the disease, travellers should:
People who returned from travel to a dengue-infected area and fall sick within one month should consult a doctor and give complete travel history so as to facilitate early diagnosis and management.
Members of the public should maintain good environmental hygiene in their home and vicinity to prevent dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases.
It is important to eliminate all stagnant water which is the potential breeding ground for mosquitoes.
The Inter-departmental Coordinating Committee Meeting on Dengue Fever will meet later this week.
Dengue fever is endemic in Southeast Asian countries. The tropical and subtropical weathers in these countries are favourable to the growth of the mosquitoes carrying dengue virus.
According to the World Health Organisation, dengue fever has been reported in China, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and India. The disease is also present in Australia, New Zealand, United States, Mexico, and many African and South American countries.