Hongkongers brace against chikungunya but preserve Chung Yeung traditions

Hong Kong grave sweepers at a major cemetery have taken preventive measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites, but remain determined to pay respects to their ancestors on Chung Yeung Festival despite visiting an area near the city’s first reported local chikungunya case.

At the Diamond Hill Urn Cemetery, about 1km from the public housing estate where the patient resides, while a mosquito repellent station is set up at the entrance for visitors, 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 with 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.