City’s five cases recorded in a week are ‘from the mainland or imported from overseas’, Eric Chan says

Hong Kong’s No 2 official has sought to calm public panic over a possible outbreak of chikungunya fever, expressing confidence that infections can be contained with government workers stepping up mosquito control efforts.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki made the appeal as Hong Kong reported five imported cases in a week, while Tuen Mun recorded high mosquito index levels that prompted authorities to speed up implementing pest control measures.

“The public does not need to panic as all the cases are from the mainland or imported from overseas. The most important thing is to take good care of yourself and be careful,” Chan told a radio programme on Saturday.

“We absolutely must prevent mosquitoes that might be carrying the virus from biting anyone. So, we have intensified mosquito eradication efforts at all our border crossings.”