Go to main content
 
CHP investigates imported Mpox case
***********************************
     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (April 21) that it is investigating an imported Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case which is related to a confirmed case announced yesterday (April 20) and urged the public to heighten vigilance and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox. Meanwhile, high-risk target groups are advised to receive Mpox vaccination.

     The imported case involves a 25-year-old male patient with good past health who has not received Mpox vaccination. He had developed myalgia and rash over his body since early April. He consulted a general practitioner on April 15 with preliminary diagnosis of chickenpox. He is a close contact of a confirmed Mpox case (involving a 34-year-old male) announced yesterday. He was identified as a suspected imported case yesterday and was arranged to be admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital for further testing. The CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch today confirmed that his samples tested positive for the virus. He is now in stable condition.

     According to the patient, he has recent travel history to Mpox-affected areas including Korea and Taiwan from March 26 to April 5. His high risk exposure during the incubation period is under investigation. The CHP is arranging two household contacts of the patient to undergo quarantine at hospital and receive post-exposure vaccination. They remained asymptomatic so far. The CHP's epidemiological investigations of the case are ongoing.

     The case announced yesterday is now reclassified as import-related Mpox case. A total of three imported Mpox cases and one import-related case have been recorded since September last year.

     Letters have been sent to doctors and private hospitals reminding them about the recent Mpox cases. The CHP will also report the case announced today to the World Health Organization and the relevant authority of Korea and Taiwan. 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.

     The Government has activated the Alert level of the preparedness and response plan for the disease in September last year, 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:
 
  1. 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;
  2. Healthcare workers responsible for caring of patients with confirmed Mpox;
  3. Laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and
  4. 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/Friday, April 21, 2023
Issued at HKT 19:38
NNNN
Today's Press Releases