Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Oct 24, 2025 4 months, 1 day, 49 minutes ago
Medical News: Elderly Patient Dies After Severe Complications
Health authorities in Hong Kong have confirmed the city’s first-ever death linked to chikungunya fever. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) under the Department of Health announced that a 77-year-old man suffering from chronic health conditions succumbed to the mosquito-borne infection after developing multiple organ failure. The man had returned from Mainland China on October 13, the same day he developed fever and joint pain. His condition worsened after he was admitted to a private hospital and later transferred to the intensive care unit of Ruttonjee Hospital, where he was diagnosed with chikungunya fever.
Hong Kong Confirms First Death from Chikungunya
According to this
Medical News report, Hong Kong has recorded 43 confirmed cases of chikungunya so far this year, and all of them were imported. While the majority of patients experienced mild symptoms, this recent fatality has raised awareness about the potential risks for those with pre-existing illnesses and weakened immune systems.
Rare But Dangerous for High-Risk Individuals
Medical experts emphasize that severe symptoms and deaths caused by chikungunya are uncommon, with a global mortality rate of less than one in a thousand. However, patients with underlying conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease are far more likely to experience complications. The disease can also pose greater danger to pregnant women, infants under one year of age, and the elderly, particularly those aged 65 and above.
Public Urged to Stay Alert
The CHP has urged the public, especially high-risk groups, to seek immediate medical attention if they develop fever, severe joint pain, or skin rashes after visiting areas where chikungunya is active. The agency reiterated the importance of mosquito control measures, as the virus spreads primarily through the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes.
Conclusion
While chikungunya rarely causes death, the Hong Kong case underscores the importance of early detection and awareness, particularly among vulnerable individuals. With rising global travel and changing mosquito habitats due to climate factors, experts warn that vector-borne infections like chikungunya could appear more frequently in unexpected regions.
References:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202510/22/P2025102200729.htm
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202510/23/P2025102300829.htm
For the latest the Chikungunya virus outbreak, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
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