The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (April 17) investigating a case of measles infection.

     As at 4pm today, one case, which involves a 45-year-old woman, was recorded. The woman with good past health developed fever since April 12 and rash since April 15. She consulted a general practitioner on April 13 and attended the Accident and Emergency Department at Pok Oi Hospital on April 15 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. She has reported to have measles vaccination, and had travelled to Taipei during the incubation period and to Jiangmen, Guangdong, during the communicable period.

     According to the patient, she did not have contact with measles patients during the incubation period. The home contacts of the patient 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 place the patient visited during the communicable period is 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), a total of 20 persons received measles vaccination at the airport vaccination station as at 6pm today, bringing the cumulative number of vaccinations given to 8 206.

     From tomorrow (April 18) to April 28, 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 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, 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:

 

Venue:	Multi-function Room, HKIA Tower (Level 5, Terminal 2)
Hours:	April 18 to 28 10am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm

     As for the blood test service, the DH will continue to arrange the provision of a measles serology test service for airport staff to identify those who need the measles vaccination. A DH contractor will provide the blood test service for about 200 airport staff who were born in or after 1967 daily from Tuesdays to Thursdays (April 16 to 18 and 23 to 25). Twenty-nine blood samples have been collected today. The DH will notify the participants individually of the serology results.

     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:	April 16 to 18, 23 to 25 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 3 204 enquiries have been received so far.

Ends/Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Issued at HKT 18:45

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