Dengue fever poses a “moderate” risk to Hong Kong, a health official has said after the city recorded its first local case of the infection this year.
Albert Au, head of the Center for Health Protection (CHP), said on an RTHK radio program on Wednesday that rising temperatures and the approaching rainy season made the environment more favorable for mosquito breeding.
“The infection rate for mosquito-borne diseases in Southeast Asia and neighboring regions remains high,” Au said in Cantonese. “So we think the risk of an explosion cannot be neglected.”
Hong Kong is investigating a local case of dengue fever after a 21-year-old man, who had not traveled outside the city recently, tested positive for the dengue virus.
According to a government STATEMENT On Tuesday, the man developed symptoms including a fever and a rash last week, and is currently in a stable condition in hospital.
He told authorities he had recently been bitten by mosquitoes near a construction site in Penny’s Bay in Lantau, where he works.
Environmental inspections showed there were “many breeding grounds for mosquitoes,” including drainage ditches with weeds and leaves, as well as stagnant water, the statement said.
The man lives in Tai Wo Estate in Tai Po. The CHP has set up a consultation booth at the estate to provide health assessments and dengue antibody tests for people with symptoms.
12 imported subjects this year
So far this year, 12 more cases of dengue fever have been registered, all imported.
Dengue fever, a viral infection transmitted to humans through mosquito bites, is most commonly reported in warmer climates, according to in the World Health Organization (WHO).
Most people experience mild or no symptoms, although severe cases – often caused by multiple infections – can lead to death.
Au said there may have been undiagnosed imported dengue cases in the community that transmitted the virus into the country. However, authorities have found no epidemiological link between the man’s case and other previously recorded imported cases.
In 2025, the city registered 59 CASES dengue fever, all imported. Meanwhile, in 2024, there were 161 cases, five of which were local.
According to the government’s statement, the family contacts of the 21-year-old and the workers at the construction site are so far asymptomatic.
Members of the public are advised to inspect their homes and prevent water from accumulating to remove potential mosquito breeding grounds.
