CHP investigates three confirmed Mpox cases
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The first case involves a 25-year-old male patient with good past health. He had developed sore throat, oral ulcer and a rash since July 24. He visited Princess Margaret Hospital yesterday (July 28). An initial investigation revealed that he had visited Shenzhen during the incubation period. According to the patient, he only had high-risk exposure in Hong Kong during the incubation period.
The second case involves another 25-year-old male patient with good past health. He had developed lymphadenopathy, localised skin ulcer and fever since July 23. He visited a private doctor on July 27, and was referred to Prince of Wales Hospital. An initial investigation revealed that he had high-risk exposure in Hong Kong during the incubation period.
The third case involves a 41-year-old male patient with underlying illness. He had developed malaise, dizziness and headache since July 23 and a rash since July 24. He visited a private doctor yesterday (July 28), and was referred to Ruttonjee Hospital. An initial investigation revealed that he had high-risk exposure in Hong Kong during the incubation period.
The CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch confirmed that their samples tested positive for the virus today. They are still hospitalised and are all in stable condition. The CHP has yet identified epidemiological linkages between these three cases. No epidemiological linkages between these three cases and other confirmed cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier have been found so far either. The CHP's epidemiological investigations of the cases are ongoing, including contact tracing and an infection source investigation. The CHP will report the cases to the World Health Organization and the relevant authority of the Mainland.
The CHP had earlier set up an Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373). The hotline operates from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9am to 5pm, which enables those who suspect or are concerned they have had high-risk contact with confirmed patients, in particular men who have sex with men or those who have sexual practices with strangers, to make enquiries and receive relevant health advice. Meanwhile, the CHP reminds 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 rashes, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches.
The CHP reminds members of the public that Mpox is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols in general, and transmission would not occur through 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 and 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, or 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.
High-risk target groups can receive Mpox vaccination at the designated Mpox vaccination centre (situated at 2/F, CHP building, 147C Argyle Street, Mong Kok) by appointment through email (mpv_booking@dh.gov.hk) or telephone booking line (2547 1900) during office hours. They can also receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at all of the DH's Social Hygiene Service Clinics (SocHS) (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female 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 services for their clients.
For more details, please visit the CHP's page on Mpox.
Ends/Saturday, July 29, 2023
Issued at HKT 19:05
Issued at HKT 19:05
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