Stay alert for chikungunya fever threat, leading expert tells Hongkongers

Hongkongers should remain vigilant against chikungunya fever, leading expert Yuen Kwok-yung has said, stressing that the mosquito-borne disease could cause prolonged and severe joint pain due to weak immunity levels among the population.

Yuen, chair of infectious diseases at the University of Hong Kong’s department of microbiology, issued the warning on Thursday following recent outbreaks in mainland China, including 3,000 cases reported in Guangdong province’s Foshan city.

While the last chikungunya fever cases registered in Hong Kong were in 2019, Yuen said that any potential outbreak in the city could be on a large scale.

“Any outbreak could be major because we have no immunity, so we should not take it lightly,” he told a radio programme.

“Normally, you might only experience a fever, rash and swollen joints. Most people will be fine, but you must not forget that if you have a chronic illness, it can be very serious to those who are very old or very young.

“It can affect your brain and cause inflammation of the retina or even retinal detachment. It can also impact the heart.”