Hongkongers should stay vigilant against chikungunya fever, leading expert Yuen Kwok-yung has said, stressing that the mosquito-borne disease could cause prolonged and severe joint pain amid weak population immunity.
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Yuen, chair of infectious diseases at the University of Hong Kong’s Department of Microbiology, made the warning on Thursday, following recent outbreaks in mainland China, including 3,000 cases reported in Foshan city in Guangdong province.
While no chikungunya fever cases have been registered in Hong Kong since 2020, Yuen has 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 said during a radio show.
“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.
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“It can affect your brain and cause inflammation of the retina or even retinal detachment. It can also impact the heart.”