Hongkongers brace against chikungunya but preserve Chung Yeung traditions
‘I did not consider skipping grave sweeping due to the risk of chikungunya infection,’ resident says
Grave sweepers at a major Hong Kong cemetery have taken preventive measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites, determined to pay their respects to ancestors for the Chung Yeung Festival despite visiting an area near the city’s first reported local chikungunya case.
A mosquito repellent station was also set up at the entrance of the Diamond Hill Columbarium, which is about 1km (0.62 miles) from the public housing estate where the patient resides. But some grave sweepers urged authorities to do more to curb the spread of the disease.
“We sprayed mosquito repellent and wore long-sleeve clothing before going grave sweeping today. We did everything we could to ward off mosquitoes,” said Michael Chau, a 52-year-old engineering sector worker.
“We are doing a little more to prevent mosquito bites. If everyone does the same, we will be able to stop its spread.”
Paying respects to his grandparents alongside his siblings, Chau said he did not consider skipping tomb sweeping despite the risk of chikungunya virus infection.
“I did not consider not coming at all, as the situation is not that serious. Even with the locally acquired case, there have been no spikes in case numbers,” he said.