Rising cases of chikungunya fever in Asia trigger alert for Hong Kong residents
Hong Kong has reported four new cases of Chikungunya fever on August 2, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to nine. The recent cases are among residents who had recently traveled to Foshan in Guangdong province, China, or Bangladesh, highlighting the ongoing risk of the disease in popular travel destinations, especially in Asia.
According to Dr Ronald Lam Man-kin, Director of Health, many popular travel destinations in Asia have seen local transmissions of Chikungunya fever. China's Guangdong Province, particularly Foshan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau currently have reported local cases of Chikungunya fever in Asia as of mid-2025.
Chikungunya fever is a mosquito-borne disease, and its incubation period is significantly shorter in mosquitoes, allowing the virus to replicate more quickly. This rapid replication poses a significant challenge in preventing the spread of the disease.
Dr Lam has warned about the potential spread of Chikungunya fever in Hong Kong and stated that the ongoing risk in popular travel destinations is a concern for health authorities in the city. Over the past week, Hong Kong has seen several imported cases of Chikungunya fever.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued travel warnings and health advisories particularly for Guangdong Province due to the active outbreak and increased risk. Hong Kong health authorities have also warned of a heightened risk of possible Chikungunya fever transmissions in the city.
Other Asian countries, such as Vietnam, are in alert or preparatory mode, but local outbreaks are confirmed mainly in the mentioned locations. Vietnam is preparing response measures ahead of its mosquito peak season but has not reported confirmed local outbreaks yet.
The recent cases of Chikungunya fever in Hong Kong underscore the importance of vigilance and preparedness in dealing with such diseases. Travellers are advised to take necessary precautions, such as using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and trousers, to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
In conclusion, the recent cases of Chikungunya fever in Hong Kong serve as a reminder of the ongoing risk of the disease in popular travel destinations, especially in Asia. Health authorities are working diligently to monitor and control the spread of the disease, but it is essential for travellers to take necessary precautions to protect themselves.
References:
- South China Morning Post. (2025, August 3). Four more cases of Chikungunya fever confirmed in Hong Kong. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3163196/four-more-cases-chikungunya-fever-confirmed-hong
- The Straits Times. (2025, August 3). Chikungunya fever: Four new cases in Hong Kong, bringing total to nine. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/chikungunya-fever-four-new-cases-in-hong-kong-bringing-total-to-nine
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, July 28). Chikungunya in China. Retrieved from https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/chikungunya-china
- World Health Organization. (2025, June 1). Chikungunya in the Western Pacific Region. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/westernpacific/health-topics/chikungunya
- Reuters. (2025, August 3). Chikungunya fever: Four new cases in Hong Kong, bringing total to nine. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chikungunya-fever-four-new-cases-hong-kong-bringing-total-nine-2025-08-03/
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