The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health of Hong Kong urges vigilance after 23 local dengue fever confirmed cases. Most of those cases are linked to Lion Rock Park (closed for one month as of the August 17 to prevent further spread of the disease) and the island of Cheung Chau.
Hong Kong is a travel-hub situated at an epicenter of zoonotic diseases and, therefore, particularly at risk of outbreaks of infectious diseases like dengue. Scientists at HKU-Pasteur Research Pole are implementing innovative research programs to understand the mechanism of infection of dengue virus and related diseases, providing a solid foundation to further the development of effective therapeutic interventions against these viruses. For more information about our work, check our Research page.
Dengue fever is an acute mosquito-borne infection caused by the dengue viruses, found in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world. It is clinically characterised by high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes and rash. Some infected people may not develop apparent symptoms, and some may only have mild symptoms like fever, e.g. young children may exhibit a milder non-specific febrile illness with rash.
For more info about preventive measures check the CHP website.
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