The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (May 1) investigating a case of measles infection.
As at 4pm today, one case, which involves a 40-year-old man, was recorded. The man with good past health developed fever since April 25 and rash since April 29. He consulted a private doctor on April 26 and attended the Accident and Emergency Department at Queen Mary Hospital on April 28, 29 and 30 and was admitted for treatment on April 30. A laboratory test of his respiratory specimen was positive for the measles virus. He has been in a stable condition. The patient has not received measles vaccination. He had travelled to Zhuhai during the incubation period but had no travel history during the communicable period.
According to the patient, he did not have contact with measles patients during the incubation period. His home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far and have been put under medical surveillance.
Upon notification of the case, the CHP immediately commenced epidemiological investigations and conducted relevant contact tracing. Investigations are ongoing. The public places the patient 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), measles vaccination service at the airport vaccination station will be continued from tomorrow (May 2) 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 2 to 17 (excluding Sundays and public holidays) 10am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm |
As for the blood test service, the DH will continue to provide the measles serology test service to about 200 airport staff who were born in or after 1967 on May 2 and 7. The pilot service at the blood test station to provide measles serology testing for a total of about 200 Filipino foreign domestic helpers who are coming to or returning to work in Hong Kong will also be continued tomorrow and on May 7.
The venue and operation hours of the airport blood test station are as follows:
| Venue: | South side before the Immigration Hall at Level 3 of Terminal 2 (non-restricted area) |
| Hours: | May 2 and 7 9am to 1pm |
A hotline (2125 1122) has been set up for public enquiries and operates during office hours from Mondays to Fridays. A total of 3 309 enquiries have been received so far.
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