Copyright hongkongfp
Hong Kong has recorded its first fatal case of chikungunya fever after a 77-year-old man with a chronic illness died on Wednesday, according to health authorities. The man previously visited Guangzhou in China’s Guangdong province between September 30 and October 13 – he developed a fever and joint pain after returning to Hong Kong. The following day, he developed a rash and sought medical attention at a private hospital. His condition subsequently deteriorated and he was admitted to the intensive care unit at Ruttonjee Hospital before he died of the mosquito-borne virus, complicated by multi-organ failure on Wednesday, according to a statement by the Department of Health’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP). Deaths remain rare According to the CHP website, symptoms of the mosquito-borne virus include fever and joint pain, with other common signs such as muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. There is no antiviral drug treatment available – preventative measures, such as using repellent and avoiding stagnant water, are best. The CHP said chikungunya is rarely related to severe symptoms and death, with a mortality rate of under 0.1 per cent. Elderly, young children and pregnant women and persons with chronic illnesses are at higher risk and may require longer recovery time. High risk individuals should promptly seek medical attention if they developed fever, joint pain and skin rash after visiting affected areas. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will roll out mosquito prevention and control measures at the patient’s home, as well as locations he visited after the onset of symptoms, authorities said. Hong Kong has recorded 42 chikungunya fever cases so far this year, all of which were imported. No new cases of chikungunya fever had been recorded as of 5pm Wednesday, the statement added. In August, the city recorded its first chikungunya fever case involving a 12-year-old boy whose blood sample tested positive for the virus after a trip to Foshan in Guangdong between July 17 and 30. The boy developed a fever, rash, and joint pain on July 31, and sought medical attention from a private doctor on the same day. He was then admitted to United Christian Hospital for treatment the next day and remained in stable condition.
