title: Review of vector-borne diseases in Hong Kong.
abstract: The epidemiology of vector-borne diseases in Hong Kong has changed over the past decade but still poses a significant public health risk. We provided a comprehensive review of the epidemiological information and analysed the trends of major vector-borne diseases, including the vector situation in Hong Kong. The incidence of malaria has dropped dramatically in the past few decades and is now mainly an imported disease acquired from malaria endemic countries. Locally acquired dengue fever occurred in 2002 and 2003, and thereafter all cases were imported, mainly from Southeast Asia areas. Only a few local cases of Japanese encephalitis were reported in the past decade. In contrast, there is a notable increase in scrub typhus and spotted fever cases. The emergence of chikungunya fever in Asia and Indian Ocean countries also resulted in importation of human cases. Given the heavy traffic between this international city and other parts of the world, as well as the presence of vectors in this densely populated area, vigilance should be maintained against these infections. Comprehensive public health measures encompassing disease surveillance, vector surveillance and control measures with support from all sectors of the community are required to combat the old and newly emerging vector-borne diseases in Hong Kong.
authors.affiliation: Enteric and Vector-borne Disease Office, Surveillance and Epidemiology Branch, Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Siu-keung Edmond
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Wang Christine
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Chi-wah Ryan
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Sik-to Thomas
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Yee-chi Janice
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Kai-hay Howard
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Man-chung
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Tak-lun
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Que
authors.forename: Ka-wai Mary
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Ming-chi
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.forename: Tin-wai Winnie
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Simon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D004199:Disease Vectors; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011634:Public Health; D014195:Travel