Update on dengue fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 20) reported the latest number of dengue fever (DF) cases, and urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.
From December 13 to yesterday (December 19), the CHP recorded three imported DF cases. The patients had travelled to Guangdong Province (one case for Zhongshan) and Indonesia (two cases) during their incubation periods.
As of yesterday, 160 cases of DF, including 155 imported and five local cases, had been recorded in 2024. In 2023, 62 imported cases of DF were recorded.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2023, ongoing transmissions, combined with an unexpected spike in DF cases, had resulted in close to a historic high of over 6.5 million cases, and more than 7 300 dengue-related deaths reported in over 80 countries/territories. Since the beginning of 2024, the WHO has recorded over 13 million cases, reaching a record number of cases.
The latest surveillance data shows that there is an increase in DF cases noted in some places in Asia (such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore) compared to the same period last year.
The number of DF cases recorded in Guangdong Province has been decreasing recently. The number of DF cases there has further decreased to less than 100 cases per week (December 9 to 15) from approximately 500 cases per week in late November, according to the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/df_imported_cases_and_overseas_figures_eng.pdf).
The continued occurrence of DF cases outside Hong Kong, coupled with the frequent travel by residents to and from Guangdong, Hong Kong and other areas, has resulted in an increased risk of importing DF cases into Hong Kong, posing a risk of local transmission.
"Apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to a doctor," a spokesman for the CHP said.
The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers, and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.
DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
Read the label instructions carefully first;
Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
Reapply only when needed and follow the instructions.
* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook PageandYouTube Channel.
Office of Licensing Authority of Home Affairs Department steps up enforcement actions against unlicensed hotels/guesthouses and illegal club-house operations before festive season holidays
Before the festive season holidays, the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department conducted an operation codenamed "Solar Flare" against unlicensed hotels and guesthouses and illegal club-houses at Yau Tsim Mong District for three consecutive days from 17 to 19 December to ensure the safety of lodgers as well as the general public.
A spokesman for the OLA said, "During the operation, the OLA carried out surprise inspections on 16 premises. Eight premises were suspected of operating unlicensed hotels or guesthouses, and one licensed club-house was suspected of being in breach of licensing conditions. The OLA will initiate prosecution on cases with sufficient evidence after completion of the investigation."
The spokesman stressed, "Operating unlicensed hotels or guesthouses is a criminal offence, and such an offence leads to a criminal record upon conviction. According to the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance, an offender is liable to three years' imprisonment and a maximum fine of $500,000. A fine of $20,000 for each day can also be imposed during which the offence continues. A six-month closure order may also be issued for a hotel or guesthouse involved in a repeated offence. Moreover, according to the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance, an offender who contravenes any condition of a certificate of compliance (e.g. failure to produce fire certificate on demand and carrying out alteration and addition works without seeking the OLA's prior approval) is liable to two years' imprisonment and a maximum fine of $100,000. A fine of $10,000 for each day can also be imposed during which the offence continues."
Apart from conducting special operations during festive seasons, the OLA also steps up efforts to combat unlicensed guesthouses via online platforms. The OLA has strengthened its intelligence collection by forming a dedicated team to browse webpages, mobile applications, social media, discussion forums, etc, to search for information and intelligence on suspected unlicensed guesthouses. The OLA's law enforcement officers will initiate follow-up investigations when information on unlicensed guesthousesadvertised via online platforms is found. The OLA also conducts publicity work on Internet search engines outside Hong Kong toenable tourists' access to the information provided by the OLA in the course of planning their trips to Hong Kong.
Tourists and members of the public can make use of the search functions on the OLA's website to check whether the hotel or guesthouse concerned is licensed or not. Any suspected unlicensed hotel or guesthouse should be reported to the OLA by the hotline (Tel: 2881 7498), by email (hadlaenq@had.gov.hk), by fax (2504 5805), or through the mobile application "Hong Kong Licensed Hotels and Guesthouses".
Office of Licensing Authority of Home Affairs Department steps up enforcement actions against unlicensed hotels/guesthouses and illegal club-house operations before festive season holidays Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Office of Licensing Authority of Home Affairs Department steps up enforcement actions against unlicensed hotels/guesthouses and illegal club-house operations before festive season holidays Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
