Macao is stepping up measures to prevent a local outbreak of chikungunya fever, a mosquito-borne disease that has been spreading rapidly across Guangdong province in recent weeks.
To combat the virus, which causes symptoms such as fever, rash, headache, fatigue and muscle pain, the local government has dispatched an interdepartmental task force to monitor construction sites for stagnant water, where mosquitoes like to breed.
Three individuals who travelled between Guangdong and Macao and worked on construction projects in Urban Zone A were recently reported by the Guangdong health authorities to be infected with chikungunya.
Yesterday, the task force inspected plots A2, A4 and A5 in Urban Zone A and found signs of potential mosquito breeding in ditches, containers and other places where stagnant water was discovered. The contractor was requested to drain the water and make use of chemical control measures.
Last week, Macao’s top infectious disease expert, Leong Iek Hou, revealed that mosquito monitoring and chemical spraying sessions totalled 1,220 and 7,400 so far this year.
Currently, the SAR has yet to report any local transmissions of chikungunya, although imported cases have been on the rise, with local health authorities reporting the city’s 6th imported case of the virus on Tuesday.
[See more: The GBA steps up vigilance as chikungunya outbreak spreads]
In a statement, the Health Bureau revealed that the patient was a 66-year old local male who had visited Sri Lanka with a colleague as part of a business trip between 7 and 18 July.
The infected man returned to Macao alone on 18 July and began to experience symptoms such as fatigue, as well as pain to the lower leg and joints on 21 July. After visiting the Conde São Januário Hospital on 28 July, the man tested positive for chikungunya.
Cases in Guangdong province have meanwhile been surging, with Foshan registering over 4,700 cases as of 26 July. Most of these originated from the Shunde district, which recorded 4,210 cases, none of which were life-threatening.
According to the latest data, Foshan’s five districts recorded 497 new chikungunya cases on Tuesday. These included 408 infections in Shunde, 52 in Chancheng, 32 in Nanhai, 3 in Gaoming and 2 in Sanshui.
In response, the Foshan authorities yesterday announced a level three public health emergency response. A week-long city-wide drive was also launched yesterday to eliminate mosquitoes across Foshan.
Macao’s neighbouring mainland city, Zhuhai, has also been hit with chikungunya, registering three new local cases between 20 and 26 July, according to Nanfang Daily. To combat the disease, the Zhuhai authorities have initiated a two-week long city-wide campaign.
