5 November 2003
Dear Doctor,
The Department of Health confirmed a case of Japanese encephalitis (JE) on 4 November 2003. The 38-year-old patient, living in Fairview Park in Yuen Long, had onset of fever, headache and drowsiness on 25 October 2003. She was admitted into Tuen Mun Hospital on 27 October. She is now under intensive care. As the patient has not travelled outside Hong Kong in the 2 weeks before onset of illness, this is classified as a local case. Her family members are asymptomatic. So far, no other case has been reported in 2003. Multi-disciplinary investigation and control actions are being carried out to prevent local transmission. The Department of Health has set up a special JE hotline 29618968 for health advice and counselling. Persons in the vicinity of the Fairview Park can call the hotline and appropriate follow-up for symptomatic individuals will be arranged.
JE is a rare disease in Hong Kong, with 0–2 sporadic human cases reported per year. From 1996–2002, there have been 5 cases reported, including 1 local case in 1996 and 4 imported cases (1 in 1997, 1 in 2001, and 2 in 2002). The disease is endemic in a large number of countries/areas in Asia. It is transmitted by the bite of infective Culicine mosquitoes which breed mainly in flooded rice fields and marshes. The disease is not directly transmitted from person to person.
The public are advised to take measures to prevent mosquito breeding by removing stagnant water, and to take precautions against mosquito bites. Villagers are advised to drain water-logged fields properly and regularly. Pesticides for crop protection and small fresh water fish can be applied to the fields for mosquito control.
If you encounter cases of JE, whether suspected or confirmed, please report to the respective Regional Offices of the Department of Health:
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Regional Office
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Fax No.
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Tel. No.
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Hong Kong
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2572 7582
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2961 8729
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Kowloon
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2375 8451
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2199 9149
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New Territories East
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2699 7691
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2158 5107
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New Territories West
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2439 9622
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2615 8571
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During weekends, public holidays or after office hours, urgent notification can be made to the duty Medical Control Officer of the Department of Health (Tel. No. : 7116 3300 call 9179).
An information sheet on JE is attached for your easy reference.
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