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China - Two additional imported cases of Zika Virus - 12 in total

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  • China - Two additional imported cases of Zika Virus - 12 in total

    Home >> Press Release >> 2016

    Press Release

    CHP notified of two additional imported cases of Zika Virus Infection in Mainland

    7 March 2016

    The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (March 7) received notification of two additional imported cases of Zika Virus Infection in the Mainland from the National Health and Family Planning Commission and the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province, and again urged the public to adopt strict anti-mosquito measures during travel. Pregnant women and those planning pregnancy should consider deferring their trip to the affected areas.

    The cases involve a 47-year-old man and his 6-year-old daughter. They arrived at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport from Venezuela on March 3 and were afebrile at the airport. They subsequently travelled to Enping, Jiangmen, Guangdong and developed fever and rash on March 5. They are now hospitalised for isolation and management and are in a stable condition.

    They did not pass through Hong Kong.

    To date, 12 imported cases of Zika Virus Infection have been notified in the Mainland.

    "Routine health surveillance on the body temperature of inbound travellers at all boundary control points is ongoing. Suspected cases will be referred to healthcare facilities for follow-up. However, at present, around 70 to 80 per cent of infected people are asymptomatic and most can recover fully. Therefore, we again urge those arriving from Zika-affected areas to apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival to reduce the risk of transmission," the spokesman for the DH said.

    The DH has been closely working with the travel industry and stakeholders, especially agents operating tours in Zika-affected areas and personnel receiving travellers in those areas (particularly pregnant women), to regularly update them on the latest disease information and health advice.

    As long as there is international travel, there is always a risk of the introduction of Zika virus to Hong Kong. As asymptomatic infection is very common and the potential vector, Aedes albopictus, is present locally, there is also risk of local spread if Zika is introduced to Hong Kong.

    The public should pay special attention to the countries and areas with reported autochthonous Zika virus transmission or locally acquired infection and those with indication of viral circulation earlier announced by the World Health Organization (WHO).
    ...

    "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
    -Nelson Mandela
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