CHP investigates confirmed Mpox case related to suspected imported case
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The confirmed case involves a 34-year-old male patient with good past health who has not received Mpox vaccination. He developed localised rash over his body since April 12. He consulted a general practitioner yesterday (April 19) due to his unresolved rash and was arranged to be admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital for further treatment on the same day. The patient is isolated in an isolation room and is now in stable condition. The CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch today confirmed that his samples tested positive for the virus.
An initial investigation revealed that he had high risk exposure during the incubation period. According to the patient, one of his close contacts has recent travel history to Mpox-affected areas (including Korea and Taiwan) and has developed body rash since April 12. This close contact has been identified as a suspected imported case and the CHP has arranged admission for that close contact for further treatment and tests. Separately, the confirmed case has travelled to Macao from April 4 to April 5. The CHP is arranging two household contacts of the patient to undergo quarantine and receive post-exposure vaccination. They remained asymptomatic so far. The CHP's epidemiological investigations of the case are ongoing.
The CHP will report the case to the World Health Organization and the relevant authority of Macao and the Mainland. Letters will also be sent to doctors and private hospitals reminding them to pay attention to related cases. The CHP also urges the public, especially those subject to high risks of exposure, to take precautions and avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of infection. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they experience relevant symptoms, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches.
The CHP reminded members of the public that Mpox is not transmitted through transient contact with respiratory droplets like COVID-19 and transmission would not occur through general social contact. Proper personal and hand hygiene can help prevent getting infected via contact.
Subsequent to an imported case in September last year, the Government has activated the Alert level of the preparedness and response plan for the disease, reflecting a low immediate health impact on the local population. The Government will continue to assess the risk in view of the latest scientific evidence and situation, and implement corresponding control measures.
The Mpox vaccination programme for high-risk groups commenced on October 5 last year. Under the programme, the following high-risk target groups can receive Mpox vaccination on a voluntary basis:
- Individuals with high risk sexual practices, e.g. having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;
- Healthcare workers responsible for caring of patients with confirmed Mpox;
- Laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and
- Animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of Mpox occurrence in animals in Hong Kong.
Currently, high-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccination at any one of the DH's six Social Hygiene Service Clinics (SocHS) (namely Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS). Further information of the clinics including their locations is available at www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcf.html and www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcm.html.
Meanwhile, the DH's Integrated Treatment Centre in Kowloon Bay, and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital will continue to provide Mpox vaccination service for their clients.
For more details, please visit the CHP's page on Mpox.
Ends/Thursday, April 20, 2023
Issued at HKT 21:15
Issued at HKT 21:15
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