China - Guangdong province reports 12th Zika case - May 15, 2016

[sharon sanders]

China's Guangdong reports 12th Zika case

Source: Xinhua 2016-05-15 21:16:42

GUANGZHOU, May 15 (Xinhua) -- South China's Guangdong Province reported a new Zika case Sunday, bringing the total number of imported infections in the province to 12.

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http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-05/15/c_135360854.htm

[Pathfinder]

CHP notified of additional imported case of Zika Virus Infection in Mainland

15 May 2016

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (May 15) received notification of an additional imported case of Zika Virus Infection in the Mainland from the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangdong Province, and again urged the public to adopt strict anti-mosquito measures and safe sex during travel. Pregnant women and those planning pregnancy should consider deferring their trip to affected areas.

The patient is a 37-year-old man who lives in Venezuela. He arrived in Mainland China through the international airport in Xiamen, Fujian on April 28.
The patient developed sore throat and low grade fever on May 8, and skin rash and high fever on May 12. He subsequently sought medical consultation locally. He is now hospitalised for isolation and management and is in stable condition.

To date, 17 imported cases of Zika Virus Infection have been notified in the Mainland.

The DH's Port Health Office has stepped up inspection at boundary control points (BCPs) to maintain strict environmental hygiene with effective mosquito control. Port Health Inspectors have reinforced training for contractors of BCPs, including the airport, harbour ports and ground crossings, on port hygiene and pest control for effective vector prevention. Health promotion in BCPs has been enhanced through pamphlets and posters to alert travellers to necessary measures against Zika.

"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 working closely 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.
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http://www.dh.gov.hk/english/press/2016/160515-3.html