Update on measles cases

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (April 10) investigating three additional cases of measles infection.
 
     As at 4pm today, one case involving a worker at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) was recorded. The 24-year-old man with good past health developed fever since March 31 and rash since April 3. He consulted a general practitioner (GP) on April 2 and attended the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) on April 3 and was admitted for treatment. A laboratory test of his respiratory specimen was positive for the measles virus. He has been in a stable condition and was discharged from the hospital. He has reported to have measles vaccination and had travelled to Japan during the incubation period but had no travel history during the communicable period.
 
     Meanwhile, the CHP is investigating two other cases of measles infection. The second case involves a 2-year-old girl with good past health, who developed fever since March 29 and rash since April 6. She was taken to a GP on April 3 and 6 and attended the AED at Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) on April 7 and was admitted for treatment. A laboratory test of her respiratory specimen was positive for the measles virus. She has been in a stable condition and was reported to have had measles vaccination. She had no travel history during the incubation period or communicable period.

     The third case involves a 31-year-old man with good past health, who developed fever since April 1 and rash since April 3. He sought medical attention at Hong Kong Baptist Hospital on April 3 and then attended the AED at QEH on the same day and was admitted for treatment. A laboratory test of his respiratory specimen was positive for the measles virus. He has been in a stable condition and was discharged from the hospital. He has reported to have measles vaccination and had travelled to Taiwan during the incubation period but had no travel history during the communicable period.
 
     The patients reportedly 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. Members of the general public who have visited the public places listed in the appendix during the period should observe if they develop relevant symptoms, such as fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes in seven to 21 days (the medical surveillance period). If symptoms arise, they 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 said.

     Upon confirmation of the measles outbreak at HKIA, the DH has implemented control measures at the airport including vaccination and blood testing services. A total of 22 persons received measles vaccination at the vaccination stations as at 6pm today, bringing the cumulative number of vaccinations given to 8 027. Ninety-two blood samples have been collected today. The DH will notify the participants individually of the serology results. A hotline (2125 1122) has been set up for public enquiries and operates from 9am to 5.45pm daily. As of 5pm today, the hotline had received a total of 3 051 enquiries.

     From today to Friday (April 10 to 12), the vaccination quota for the measles vaccination station at the airport remains at 500 doses daily. Vaccination for eligible airport staff will be provided to the following target groups:

(1) Born in or after 1967, and have not received two doses of measles vaccination, and have not been infected with measles before, and with evidence of living with infants under 1 year old or living with pregnant women; or

(2) Have laboratory evidence of testing not positive against measles antibody (IgG).

     Details of evidence are as follows:

(a) Supporting documents for living with infants under 1 year old: for example birth certificate, discharge summary or vaccination card of the infant

(b) Supporting documents for living with pregnant women: for example, positive pregnancy tests or antenatal follow-up cards of the pregnant women

(c) Supporting documents for laboratory evidence: for example blood results from the DH's measles serology test or any laboratory within the past 12 months

     The venue and operation hours of the airport vaccination station are as follows:
 

     As for the blood test service, the DH will continue with the provision of a measles serology test service for airport staff to identify those who need the measles vaccination. From today to Friday (April 10 to 12), the DH will provide blood test service daily to around 100 airport staff who were born in or after 1967, with priority to be given to staff belonging to target group (1).

     The venue and operation hours of the airport blood test station are as follows: