Hong Kong Confirms Travel-Related Chikungunya Fatality

The Government of the Hong Kong SAR Center for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today published an update on chikungunya fever (CF) cases.

As of October 23, 2025, Hong Kong has recorded 43 confirmed, imported CF cases this year.

Among these, a patient recently passed away.

The CHP says severe symptoms and deaths caused by CF are extremely rare, with a mortality rate of less than one in 1,000, and the conditions of the other 42 patients are mild.

The occurrence of severe complications is mainly related to the patients' underlying health conditions. Elderly persons (particularly those aged 65 or above), young children (particularly infants under 1 year old), pregnant women, and persons with chronic illnesses (such as hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease) are at higher risk of developing complications after contracting CF and may require a more extended recovery period.

Therefore, members of the public (especially the abovementioned high-risk groups) are advised to seek medical advice promptly if they develop relevant symptoms, particularly a fever, sudden severe joint pain, and skin rash, after visiting areas affected by CF.

Since the beginning of 2025, and as of September 30, a total of 445,271 suspected and confirmed CF cases and 155 CF-related deaths have been reported in 40 countries/territories.

Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. CF outbreaks currently occur in many countries worldwide.

From a disease prevention option, chikungunya vaccines have been approved in various countries, including the United States.