Hong Kong confirms first locally acquired case of chikungunya fever

閱讀中文版本

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) urges residents in the affected area to seek medical advice or contact the CHP immediately if they experience symptoms.

Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has confirmed the city’s first locally acquired case of chikungunya fever (CF) as of 4pm on 26 October 2025.

The patient is an 82-year-old woman living in Fung Tak Estate, Wong Tai Sin. She developed a swollen and painful left ankle since 18 October, followed by fever and joint and limbs pain on 22 October. She consulted a private doctor the same day and visited the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital on 23 October. Her blood sample later tested positive for the chikungunya virus upon laboratory testing.

In response, the CHP has launched a series of prevention and control measures according to epidemiological investigations and risk assessment, including providing medical surveillance and health advice to household contacts of the case or those with common exposure to the source of infection. Laboratory testing will be arranged for those exhibiting relevant symptoms.

CHP officers, alongside District Services & Community Care Teams (Care Teams), will reach out to 8,000 households in the area to conduct health surveys and monitor conditions. Residents are urged to seek medical advice or contact the CHP immediately if they present with a fever, rash or joint pain since 1 October.

As at 5pm on 25 October, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 46 confirmed CF cases – all of which were imported. None of the previous patients live near the abovementioned local case. Given that the 82-year-old patient’s activities were primarily within the estate, the CHP has not ruled out the possibility that unidentified infected patient(s) in the area may have transmitted the virus to mosquitoes in the estate, leading to her infection.

Globally, CF outbreaks continue to affect numerous regions. As of 30 September, a total of 445,271 suspected and confirmed CF cases and 155 CF-related deaths have been reported in 40 countries and territories, including in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe.

CF is a mosquito-borne disease. The CHP reminds the public to take the following precautions:

• Use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites.
• Inspect homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds.
• Change water in vases and scrub their inner surfaces, and remove water from saucers under potted plants at least once a week.
• Properly dispose off containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes.
• Keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water.
• Scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Photo / HKSAR Government Press Releases