Dengue’s dwindling, at least locally.
Two months after the mosquito-borne virus spread through Hong Kong, authorities have reopened Lion Rock Park, one of the locations identified as a source of the outbreak.
While warning the public to stay vigilant (still maybe pack some insect repellent), the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) said that, as of Saturday, it was cool to go and chill in the Wong Tai Sin park again.
Well, they weren’t their exact words, but they gave the greenlight nonetheless after an inspection by staff from the LCSD and the Food and Hygiene Department (FHD) last week.
The staff “were satisfied with the hygienic situation and mosquito control work at the park and considered it ready for reopening.”
Authorities have declared the end of the local outbreak, which began in August and led to almost 30 cases contracted in Hong Kong, with Lion Rock park and Cheung Chau being identified as two major sources of the infections.
Prior to the park closing on August 17, some 11 dengue cases were linked to the site.
And while authorities have spent the last two months tackling mosquito breeding hotspots in Hong Kong, the Centre for Public Health (CHP) warned that imported cases remain a threat.
From Oct 5 to 11, the CHP recorded 10 imported cases, including nine from mainland China and one from the Philippines.
Overall, 120 cases had been confirmed this year, of which 29 were local cases and 91 were imported cases.
Reader Interactions