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Update on measles cases
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (April 24) investigating a case of measles infection.
 
     As at 4pm today, one case, which involves a 37-year-old man, was recorded. The man with good past health developed fever since April 19 and rash since April 20. He attended the Out-patient Department at St Teresa's Hospital on April 21 and attended the Accident and Emergency Department at Princess Margaret Hospital on April 23 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. The patient has not received measles vaccination. He had travelled to Singapore and Malaysia 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 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. 
 
     Meanwhile, regarding a confirmed case announced on April 5 that involved a 14-month-old baby boy, his respiratory specimen subsequently tested positive for vaccine-associated measles and is thus not classified as a confirmed case of measles.

     Regarding measles control measures implemented at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), a total of four persons received measles vaccination at the airport vaccination station as at 6pm today, bringing the cumulative number of vaccinations given to 8 268.

     From tomorrow to Sunday (April 25 to 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 25 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 continue to provide the blood test service for about 200 airport staff who were born in or after 1967 tomorrow (April 25). Thirteen 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 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 3 258 enquiries have been received so far. 
 
Ends/Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Issued at HKT 19:45
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