Update on measles cases

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (April 5) investigating four additional cases of measles infection.

​     As at 4pm today, one case involving a worker at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) was recorded. The case involves a 20-year-old woman with good past health, who developed fever since April 2 and rash since April 3. She sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) at United Christian Hospital on April 3 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 reported to have measles vaccination. She had no travel history during the incubation period or the communicable period.
 
     Meanwhile, the CHP is investigating three other cases of measles infection. The second case involves a 20-year-old female healthcare worker with good past health, who developed fever since March 31 and rash since April 3. She consulted a general practitioner (GP) on April 1. She attended the AED at Tin Shui Wai Hospital on April 4 and was transferred to Tuen Mun Hospital for admission and 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 and reported to have measles vaccination. She had no travel history during the incubation period or the communicable period. The CHP will work closely with the Hospital Authority on the source investigation and contact tracing.

     The third case involves a 36-year-old man with good past health, who developed headache since March 30, fever since March 31 and rash since April 2. He consulted a GP on April 1 and another GP on April 2 and attended the AED at Prince of Wales Hospital 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. His measles vaccination history is unknown. He had travelled to Turkey and Tunisia during the incubation period but had no travel history during the communicable period.

     The fourth case involves an 14-month-old baby boy with good past health, who developed fever, cough and rash since April 2. He was taken to the AED at North Lantau Hospital on April 3 for medical attention and was transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital for admission and treatment on April 4. A laboratory test of his respiratory specimen was positive for the measles virus. He has been in a stable condition and reported to have measles vaccination. He had no travel history during the incubation period or the communicable period.

     Except the case involving a healthcare worker, according to the other three patients, they did not have contact with measles patients during the incubation period.

     The home contacts of all the patients 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 measles outbreak, the DH has implemented control measures at the airport including vaccination and blood testing services. A total of 21 persons received measles vaccination at the vaccination stations as at 6pm today, bringing the cumulative number of vaccinations given to 7,919. 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 2,873 enquiries.

     From tomorrow to next Friday (April 6 to 12), the vaccination quota for the measles vaccination station at the airport remains at 500 doses daily. Vaccination to 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 next Monday to Friday (April 8 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 blood test service is suspended from today to Sunday (April 5 to 7).

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