Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) announced the death on Thursday of a 77-year-old man who suffered from a chronic illness, according to a statement. The victim visited Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, between 30 September and 13 October, and began experiencing fever and joint pain after returning to Hong Kong, the CHP said.
As his condition deteriorated, the man was admitted to the intensive care unit at Ruttonjee Hospital, where he died from the virus, compounded by multiple organ failure. This year, Hong Kong has recorded 42 cases of chikungunya, but authorities stressed that all were classified as imported infections from outside the territory.
Transmitted by mosquitoes, the chikungunya virus causes fever and joint pain, with symptoms similar to dengue, affecting children, the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions more severely.
The CHP emphasised that this infection is rarely associated with severe symptoms, with a mortality rate of less than 0.1 per cent, but warned that high-risk individuals should seek medical attention immediately if they develop symptoms.
Hong Kong health authorities have stepped up prevention measures in affected districts and sprayed pesticides in an effort to eliminate mosquitoes in at-risk areas. Schools have implemented measures to control stagnant water, where mosquitoes breed, and the Chinese region has strengthened border surveillance.
Globally, between January and September, nearly 445,300 suspected or confirmed cases of chikungunya and 155 deaths were reported in 40 countries, according to World Health Organization data.
In mainland China, nearly 16,500 cases of chikungunya were recorded by the end of September, in an outbreak concentrated in the cities of Foshan and Jiangmen, near Hong Kong and Macau, which recorded 29 imported cases and eight local cases.
Foshan authorities have imposed strict preventive measures, including the use of mosquito nets, drones and disinfectant, with threats of fines and electricity cuts for those who fail to eliminate standing water.
Platform with Lusa
