The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (September 6) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, and urged the public to heighten vigilance and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox.
The case involves a 33-year-old male patient with good past health. He had presented with exhaustion and localised rash since August 25 and later visited the Fanling Social Hygiene Clinic of the DH on September 4. He is in stable condition and arrangements were made for him to be admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital. According to the patient, he had high-risk exposure in Hong Kong during the incubation period.
An initial investigation revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. No epidemiological linkages between this case and other confirmed cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier have been found so far. The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations of the case, including the high-risk exposure history of the patient during the incubation period, contact tracing and infection source investigations. The CHP will report the case to the World Health Organization.
High-risk target groups are strongly advised to receive Mpox vaccination as soon as possible. The CHP has conducted epidemiological analysis against the 41 confirmed cases recorded as at August 31 this year, of which most of the cases (40 cases) involved men who have sex with men (MSM). Over 90 per cent (38 cases) of the cases indicated that they had high-risk sexual practices during the incubation periods, and 30 cases indicated that they had high-risk exposure in Hong Kong during the incubation periods. Also, 33 patients did not receive Mpox vaccination or did not complete the two-dose course. Over 85 per cent of the unvaccinated cases presented with more severe symptoms. Currently, no serious or death case had been recorded.
According to the above epidemiological analysis, the cases recorded in Hong Kong mainly involved those who had engaged in high-risk sexual practices, including having sex with strangers or unsafe sex. The CHP appeals again to high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccination with a view to lowering the risk of infection or the possibility of having more severe symptoms after infection. Persons who experience Mpox symptoms (including rashes, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches) or suspect themselves being infected are advised to seek medical attention and receive treatment at once, and they should not engage in activities with others during which other people may have contact with their skin rash or body fluids. Members of the public should maintain good personal and hand hygiene to prevent virus transmission or infection through contact. They should also avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of infection.
The CHP had earlier set up an Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373). The hotline operates from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9am to 5pm, which enables those who suspect or are concerned they have had high-risk contact with confirmed patients, in particular MSM or those who have sexual practices with strangers, to make enquiries and receive relevant health advice.
The Government has activated the Alert level of the preparedness and response plan for the disease in September last year and will continue to assess the risk in view of the latest scientific evidence and situation, and implement corresponding control measures.
The Mpox vaccination programme for high-risk groups commenced on October 5 last year. Under the programme, the following high-risk target groups can receive Mpox vaccination on a voluntary basis:
- Individuals with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;
- Healthcare workers responsible for caring of patients with confirmed Mpox;
- Laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and
- Animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of Mpox occurrence in animals in Hong Kong.
High-risk target groups can receive Mpox vaccination at the designated Mpox vaccination centre (situated at 2/F, CHP building, 147C Argyle Street, Mong Kok) by appointment through email (mpv_booking@dh.gov.hk) or telephone booking line (2547 1900) during office hours. They can also receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at all of the DH's Social Hygiene Service Clinics (SocHS) (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS). Further information of the clinics including their locations is available at www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcf.html and www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcm.html.
Meanwhile, the DH's Integrated Treatment Centre in Kowloon Bay, and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital will continue to provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.
​For more details, please visit the CHP's page on Mpox.
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