The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (May 10) investigating two cases of measles infection.
As at 4pm today, two cases were recorded. The first case involves a 47-year-old man with good past health who developed cough since May 6 and fever and rash since May 8. He consulted private doctors on May 6 and 8, attended the Accident and Emergency Department at Prince of Wales Hospital on May 8 and was admitted for treatment on the following day. A laboratory test of his respiratory specimen was positive for the measles virus. He has been in a stable condition. The patient's measles vaccination history is unknown. He had no travel history during the incubation period and communicable period.
​ The second case involves a 27-year-old woman with good past health who developed fever on May 4 and rash since May 8. She consulted a private doctor and attended the Accident and Emergency Department at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on May 8 and was admitted for treatment on the same day. A laboratory test of her respiratory specimen was positive for the measles virus. She has been in a stable condition. The patient's measles vaccination history is unknown. She travelled to the Philippines during the incubation period but had no travel history during the communicable period.
According to both patients, they did not have contact with measles patients during the incubation period. Their home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far and have been put under medical surveillance.
Upon notification of the cases, the CHP immediately commenced epidemiological investigations and conducted relevant contact tracing. Investigations are ongoing. The public places the patients visited during the communicable period are listed in the appendix.
"The incubation period (the period from infection to appearance of illness) of measles ranges from seven days to 21 days. Symptoms of measles include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If symptoms arise, members of the public should wear surgical masks, stop going to work or school and avoid going to crowded places. They should also avoid contact with non-immune persons, especially persons with weakened immunity, pregnant women and children aged below 1. Those suspected to have been infected are advised to seek medical attention as early as possible and reveal relevant contact history of measles to healthcare professionals," a spokesman for the DH advised.
Regarding measles control measures implemented at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), a total of four persons had received measles vaccination at the airport vaccination station as at 6pm today, bringing the cumulative number of vaccinations given to 8 393.
From tomorrow (May 11) to May 17 (excluding Sundays and public holidays), measles vaccination will be provided to airport staff who:
(1) Were born in or after 1967, and have not received two doses of measles vaccination, and have not been infected with measles before; or
(2) Have laboratory evidence of testing not positive against measles antibody (IgG).
The vaccination quota for the measles vaccination station at the airport remains at 600 doses daily. The venue and operation hours of the airport vaccination station are as follows:
| Venue: | Multi-function Room, HKIA Tower (Level 5, Terminal 2) |
| Hours: | May 11 to 17 (excluding Sundays and public holidays) 10am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm |
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