First Zika case in Hong Kong confirmed
Health authorities in Hong Kong are now investigating the city’s first case of the Zika virus infection. The victim is a 38-year-old woman expatriate woman who traveled to the Caribbean just this month. She is currently in an isolation ward United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong and in stable condition.
The woman, who is a resident of Lohas Park in Tseung Kwan O and a worker at the International Finance Centre in Central, had a good health record.
She had travelled to the Caribbean island of Saint-Barthelemy from August 6 to August 20, during which she was bitten by mosquitoes, before returning to Hong Kong on August 22.But she has developed symptoms such as joint pains and red eyes since August 20.
She then sought help at Matilda Hospital on The Peak the day after her return to Hong Kong, but did not require admission. Her blood and urine samples tested positive for the virus on August 25.
Three family members she travelled with showed no symptoms.
Centre for Health Protection controller Dr Leung Ting-hung said that they will report the case to the World Health Organization (WHO) and will work closely with overseas, neighboring health authorities to monitor the latest developments in the case.
The center also urged the public to adopt strict anti-mosquito measures and practice safe sex during travel. It also warned against pregnant women traveling to affected areas.
The mosquito-borne virus causes a serious birth defect called microcephaly, manifesting in an underdeveloped brain and small head. Those infected display flu-like symptoms such as mild fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said it would conduct an anti-mosquito operation in Tseung Kwan O, Central, Clear Water Bay and other areas the patient had visited after her return.
Anti-mosquito measures will also be strengthened from this month to October. The main target is Aedes albopictus, a potential local medium of transmission to humans. The species’ relative, Aedes aegypti, which is not found locally, has been considered the most important vector for transmission.
The virus has also been found in human semen and transmission by sexual contact has been confirmed.
Since the outbreak of Zika in 2015, more than 50 countries have reported transmission of the virus.
Four Southeast Asian countries close to Hong Kong – Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam – have also had signs of possible endemic transmission.
China has so far recorded 22 imported Zika cases, with seven of them passing through Hong Kong while returning from South America to the mainland.
WHO declared Zika a public health emergency in February, when the virus mainly affected Latin America and the Caribbean.
