September 22, 2001
The Department of Health (DH) today (September 22) reminded members of the public travelling outside Hong Kong to be on guard against mosquito-borne diseases following a cluster of dengue fever cases reported in neighbouring areas and countries in this Region.
The Chief Port Health Officer of DH, Dr P L Ma, said: "Holidaymakers and travellers should take active measures to prevent mosquito bites and, if necessary, take preventive medications to prevent mosquito-borne diseases."
Travellers should adopt the following preventive measures to prevent mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever, malaria and yellow fever:
The Port Health Office has increased the frequency of broadcasting dengue fever prevention messages at ferry terminals, airport and border control points. The distribution of pamphlets on dengue fever to travellers has also been stepped up.
Dr Ma said: "People who returned from 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 can obtain travel health information including latest news on mosquito-borne diseases by visiting DH's travel health website address: http://www.info.gov.hk/trhealth/ .
In the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Government has further enhanced a series of prevention and control measures instituted by the Inter-departmental Coordinating Committee on Dengue Fever.
Dengue fever is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus. The virus is transmitted by infective mosquitoes that bite particularly during the day. A mosquito vector that is capable of transmitting dengue virus exists in Hong Kong and is called Aedes albopictus. Dengue fever does not transmit directly from person to person.