Prevention of Dengue fever

With the arrival of the rainy season, the Centre for Health Protection urges members of the public to stay alert to the threat of dengue fever and to take appropriate measures to reduce mosquito breeding. Travellers to dengue endemic places should take appropriate precautions to prevent mosquito bites.


            Aedes albopictus



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Dengue fever

Causative agent

Dengue fever is an acute viral disease caused by the Dengue virus.

Clinical features

Symptoms include high fever for three to five days, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, eye pain, nausea, vomiting and skin rash. In severe cases, the patient may present with bleeding and shock, and can die from the disease. Children normally would have milder symptoms than adults.

Mode of transmission

Dengue virus is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. There is no person to person spread. The mosquito Aedes albopictus, a vector known to transmit the disease, can be found in Hong Kong. The mosquito likes to bite people during daytime, especially two hours after sunrise and a few hours before sunset.

Incubation period

The incubation period is 3 to 14 days.

Management

At present, there is no effective vaccine against dengue fever. Symptomatic person should seek medical advice and inform the Department of Health.

Prevention

The best way to prevent dengue fever is to eliminate pockets of stagnant water that serve as mosquito breeding sites at home, at schools, workplaces and their vicinity, and to avoid mosquito bites.

'Let's remove stagnant water. Eliminate mosquito for healthy living'.
Please take the following precautionary measures at all times to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes and avoid mosquito bites:

1. Put all used cans and bottles into dustbins with cover.
2. Change water for plants at least once a week, leaving no water in the saucers underneath flower pots.
3. Cover tightly all water containers, wells and water storage tanks.
4. Keep all drains free from choke.
5. Top up all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water.
6. Wear long-sleeved clothes and long trousers.
7. Use insect repellent over the exposed parts of the body.
8. Use mosquito screens or nets when the room is not air-conditioned.

If you notice any mosquito breeding sites in public places, you may call the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department Hotline 2868 0000.