The Center for Health Protection of the Department of Health of Hong Kong confirmed Tuesday an imported case of dengue fever and urged people to guard against the disease.

The center said in a statement that the female patient was discharged from hospital on February 15, but it did not explain the delay of the news release.

The 48-year-old female, once traveling to Thailand from January 27 to 30, began showing symptoms of fever, headache, rash, joint pain and muscle pain on February 4 and was admitted to North District Hospital on February 9, according to the center.

She recovered after medical treatment and was discharged from the hospital, the center said, adding her home contacts were asymptomatic toward dengue fever.

To date, Hong Kong has reported four cumulative dengue fever cases in 2006 and they were all imported from other countries or regions, according to the Department of Health.

The department said it is essential that people stay alert to the threat of dengue fever and help in the reduction of mosquito breeding.

To avoid mosquito bites, the department said, people should put all used cans and bottles into dustbins with covers, change water for plants at least once a week, leaving no water in the saucers underneath flower pots, cover tightly all water containers, wells and water storage tanks and keep all drains free from blockage.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong residents traveling overseas should take preventive measures like wearing long-sleeved tops and trousers, using insect repellent on exposed parts of the body and using mosquito screens or nets when rooms are not air-conditioned, the department said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2006)