Hong Kong's Chikungunya Risk is Related to Visitors

The Government of Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today that Hong Kong has recorded a total of 13 imported confirmed chikungunya fever (CF) cases this year.

The CHP stated that from 2016 to 2019, Hong Kong recorded between one and 11 imported CF cases annually.

Since millions of people visit Hong Kong annually, the data reflects a minor health risk to visitors in this Special Administrative Region of China.

"According to information from the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration, there were 178 new CF cases in Guangdong during the past week (August 31 to September 6), showing a further decrease compared to the previous two weeks, which reported 225 cases (August 24 to 30) and 336 cases (August 17 to 23) respectively., in a media release on September 8, 2025.

"All cases were mild, with no severe or fatal cases reported. Although the number of new CF cases in Guangdong Province has continued to decline over the past month, many countries worldwide are still experiencing CF outbreaks."

"Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, commented.

The CHP's Port Health Division continues to step up inspections at boundary control points and to remind cross-boundary public transport operators and other relevant parties to ensure good environmental hygiene and effective implementation of anti-mosquito measures. 

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems in Hong Kong.

In late August 2025, the U.S. CDC's Level 2 Travel Health Advisory confirmed a CF outbreak in Guangdong Province, China. Most of the 10,000 cases have been reported in Foshan City.

The CDC recommends vaccination for travelers visiting an area with a chikungunya outbreak.