Update on measles cases

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (March 27) investigating five additional cases of measles infection of which three are workers at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).
 
​     As at 4pm today, three cases involving HKIA workers, two males and one female, were recorded. The first case is a 28-year-old man with good past health, who developed fever on March 22 and rash on March 23. He consulted a private doctor on March 23, and sought medical attention at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital where he was admitted for treatment on the same day. A laboratory test of his respiratory specimen was positive for measles virus. He is in a stable condition. He reported that he had had measles vaccination and had no travel history during the incubation period or communicable period.
 
     The second case is a 31-year-old man with good past health, who developed fever on March 20 and rash on March 23. He consulted a private doctor on March 23, sought medical attention at Pok Oi Hospital on the same day and was transferred to Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) for admission and treatment. His respiratory specimen tested positive for measles virus. He is in a stable condition. He reported that he had had measles vaccination and had no travel history during the incubation period or communicable period.
 
​     The third case involves a 21-year-old woman with good past health, who developed fever on March 22 and rash on March 25. She consulted a private doctor on March 25, sought medical attention at Tin Shui Wai Hospital and was transferred to TMH for admission and treatment on the same day. Her respiratory specimen tested positive for measles virus. She is in a stable condition. She has had measles vaccination and had no travel history during the incubation period or communicable period.
 
     Meanwhile, the CHP is investigating two other case of measles infection. The fourth case is a 43-year-old man, with good past health, who developed fever on March 13 and rash on March 17. He attended a private clinic on March 14. He sought medical attention at St Paul's Hospital on March 17 and 18 and was admitted for treatment on March 18. His respiratory specimen tested positive for measles virus. He is in a stable condition and has already been discharged. His measles vaccination history is unknown. He travelled to Japan during the incubation period but had no travel history during the communicable period.
 
     The fifth case involves an eight-month-old baby boy, with good past health, who developed fever on March 17 and rash on March 20. He attended private clinics on March 17 and 20. He was taken to Prince of Wales Hospital on March 21 for medical attention and was admitted for treatment. His respiratory specimen tested positive for measles virus. He is in a stable condition. The patient is not yet suitable for measles vaccination and travelled to Thailand during the incubation period but had no travel history during the communicable period.
 
     According to the 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. Initial investigations revealed that no contact has shown measles-related symptoms so far. The public places the patients visited during the communicable period are listed in the appendix.
 
     A spokesman for the CHP said, "Since an outbreak emerged at the airport last week, the CHP has attached great importance to infection control measures at the airport, in particular measles vaccination for people working at the airport who are non-immune to measles."
 
​     The measles vaccination exercise at the airport aims to protect those working at the airport who are non-immune to measles. The target group refers to people working at the airport who are:
 
(1) Non locally-born or born in Hong Kong from 1967 to 1984; and
(2) Have not received two doses of measles vaccination; and
(3) Have not been infected with measles before.
 
​     From today to March 29, the arrangements of the vaccination stations at the airport are as follows:
 

 
​     The spokesman said, "The CHP will closely monitor and review the vaccination progress of people working at the airport. We will continue to closely liaise with the Airport Authority to explore ways to further enhance the vaccination arrangements. Arrangements after March 29 will be announced in due course."
 
​     A total of 885 persons received measles vaccination at the vaccination station as at 5pm today, bringing the cumulative number of vaccinations given to 2,916. A hotline (2125 1122) is set up for public enquiries and operates from 9am to 5.45pm daily. As of 5pm today, the hotline had received a total of 1,458 enquiries.
 
​     Information on the confirmed measles cases in 2019 with their case summary is uploaded onto the CHP website.
 
     The CHP today had a teleconference with the Health Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region to exchange information on the latest measles situation in both places and the prevention and control measures.
 
​     The spokesman explained, "Measles is a highly infectious disease caused by the measles virus. It can be transmitted by airborne droplets spread or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons, and, less commonly, by articles soiled with nose and throat secretions. A patient can pass the disease to other persons from four days before to four days after the appearance of skin rash."
 
​     The spokesman added, "The incubation period of measles ranges from seven days to up to 21 days. Contacts who are not immune to measles may develop relevant symptoms, such as fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes, in the incubation period. They should observe if they develop such symptoms in the period. If symptoms arise, they should wear surgical masks, stop going to work or school and avoid going to crowded places. They should avoid contact with non-immune persons, especially persons with weakened immunity, pregnant women and children aged below one. They should also report their symptoms and prior travel history to healthcare workers so that appropriate infection control measures can be implemented at healthcare facilities to prevent any potential spread.
 
​     "Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. Members of the public who are planning to travel to places with high incidence or outbreaks of measles should review their vaccination history and past medical history, especially people born outside Hong Kong who might not have received measles vaccination during childhood. The history of measles vaccination in Hong Kong is available in the CHP's measles thematic page. Those who have not received two doses of measles-containing vaccines, who do not know their vaccination history or who have unknown immunity against measles are urged to consult their doctor for advice on vaccination at least two weeks before departure," the spokesman said.
 
​     Besides being vaccinated against measles, members of the public should take the following measures to prevent infection:
 
• Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly;
• Wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly;
• Clean used toys and furniture properly; and
• Persons with measles should be kept out of school till four days from the appearance of rash to prevent spread of the infection to non-immune persons in school.
 
     For more information on measles, please visit the CHP's measles thematic page. For news of measles outbreaks outside Hong Kong or the latest travel health advice, please visit the website of DH's Travel Health Service.