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A second type of dengue fever has been found in Hong Kong for the first time, signalling a more serious threat from the mosquito-borne disease.

The discovery came as the Department of Health recorded two more infections, one local and one imported case, bringing the number of local infections recorded this year to 18 and imported cases to 15.

Health officials revealed yesterday that the serotype two dengue virus was found in a 61-year-old man from Shamshuipo.

The man, surnamed Ko, developed fever on September 25 and was admitted to Caritas Medical Centre on September 29. The man was discharged yesterday.

Dengue fever is a viral illness transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. The dengue viruses include four serotypes.

Patients of the other 17 local cases in Ma Wan, Cheung Sha Wan and Tsuen Wan were infected with serotype one virus.

Doctors said patients infected with only one type of virus would suffer only mild symptoms such as headache and high fever.

But if they subsequently contracted any other type of dengue virus, they risked developing dengue haemorrhagic fever, a complication that can be fatal.

Dengue haemorrhagic fever kills about 15,000 people every year, according to the World Health Organisation.

The risk is much higher for children under the age of 15.

Deputy Director of Health Leung Pak-yin said yesterday that the chance of having a major dengue fever outbreak in Hong Kong was quite small.

However, with at least two types of virus in Hong Kong, Dr Leung could not rule out the possibility that some patients might catch dengue haemorrhagic fever.

Dr Leung said it was no surprise that Hong Kong had different types of dengue virus because all four serotypes are endemic in neighbouring countries.

'We keep assessing the situation every day, we have never underestimated the spread of the disease,' he said.

He said the coming months would be critical, pledging that the government would make every effort at mosquito control.

Dr Leung said no new case had been reported since September 25, indicating the success of the mosquito control campaign over the past two weeks.

He appealed to the public to be wary of mosquito bites and to take care of environmental hygiene.

The new local case confirmed yesterday involved a 17-year-old youth in Ma Wan.

He developed fever, headache, muscle pain and a rash in mid-July and has recovered.

The imported case was a woman, 30, who developed fever, headache and a rash on September 24 and has recovered.

She travelled to a Southeast Asian country during the incubation period.



Second form of dengue hits SAR