CHP investigates confirmed Mpox case and continues to take multipronged approach to break transmission chains
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Case details
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The new case involves a 39-year-old man who developed rash over his right foot, face, back and buttock since October 5. He sought medical consultation at a private clinic on October 8, and was referred to Yan Chai Hospital on the following day for isolation treatment. Upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB), his clinical specimen tested positive for the Monkeypox virus. The patient is currently in stable condition. He was transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) to continue isolation treatment.
According to the information provided by the patient, during the incubation period, he visited a premises called "Hutong" on Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, on multiple occasions and had multiple high-risk sexual contacts with male strangers there. The CHP has conducted joint on‑site investigation at the premises with the Police. Furthermore, the CHP has provided health education to the staff of the premises. To date, all staff members remain asymptomatic. As the CHP cannot rule out the transmission risk at the premises, as a prudent measure it is recommended that "Hutong" be temporarily closed with immediate effect from today.
The CHP appeals to the members of the public who have visited "Hutong" since September 14, especially those who have had sexual contact with strangers there, to call the Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373) as soon as possible, to facilitate the CHP to provide health assessments and advice. The CHP will arrange persons with relevant symptoms to undergo testing.
The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations of the case, and will report the case to the World Health Organization.
Latest situation of Mpox cases
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Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded 115 Mpox cases (91 local cases and 24 imported cases). All patients are males. As of today, 31 cases have been recorded this year, including 24 local cases and seven imported cases. Since August, there have been 22 new cases, accounting for 70 per cent of the total number of cases this year.
Epidemiological investigations showed that all the 22 cases recorded since August reported having engaged in high-risk sexual activities during the incubation period, including having sex with male strangers or multiple partners, and having sex without a condom. Most of them have not received the Mpox vaccinations.
The CHP's PHLSB conducted genetic analysis of the virus and found that some cases had identical genetic sequences. This suggests that the cases may have shared a common source of infection, with multiple transmission chains existing among men who have sex with men population.
New Mpox vaccination venues
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Mpox vaccine can prevent infection and severe disease. Since late September, in addition to regular vaccination venues, the CHP has set up an additional Mpox vaccination centre at the CHP Building, and has collaborated with three NGOs (namely Community Health Organisation for Intervention, Care and Empowerment; Hong Kong AIDS Foundation; and Hong Kong Christian Service) to provide outreach vaccination services. Together with the various existing vaccination venues, the CHP has successfully administered the Mpox vaccine to approximately 380 high-risk individuals over the past two weeks.
To further reduce the risk of community infection and transmission, the CHP will continue to actively increase the locations and time slots for Mpox vaccination. Following the completion of three outreach vaccination sessions recently, the CHP has arranged the following services:
(i) Hong Kong AIDS Foundation - Mong Kok Service Centre
Date and time: October 14 (Wednesday), 5pm to 8pm
Location: Bright Way Tower, 33 Mong Kok Road, Mong Kok, Kowloon
(Online appointments: forms.gle/ytDgGsn9V2R8wL4VA)
(ii) Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre (additional session)
Date and time: October 24 (Saturday), 10am to 1pm
Location: 7/F, Yau Ma Tei Jockey Club Polyclinic, 145 Battery Street, Yau Ma Tei
(Phone reservations: Please call Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre at 2195 6588 from 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, to make an appointment.)
Strengthening public education and awareness
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The CHP's Mpox hotline (2125 2373) provides health assessments, advice and vaccination arrangements for affected individuals. The hotline operates daily from 9am to 6pm.
The CHP has consistently conducted comprehensive and in-depth epidemiological investigations into every Mpox case, striving to contact individuals who have had high-risk contact with the patients. The CHP's epidemiological investigations showed that patients commonly used specific dating apps to find casual sexual partners. After testing positive, some patients were unable to contact their newly met sexual partners, which hindered the CHP's ability to conduct effective contact tracing and implement corresponding prevention and control measures. In view of this, the CHP has increased its outreach on social media platforms to promote Mpox prevention and vaccination, and has collaborated with the operators of relevant dating apps to regularly push information about Mpox prevention and vaccination to all users in Hong Kong.
The CHP staff visited various entertainment venues, including saunas, to promote health and remind individuals at high risk of exposure that vaccination protects against infection and reduces the likelihood of transmitting it to others. Due to the current surge in Mpox cases, individuals should limit the number of sexual partners and use condoms in addition to getting vaccinated to further reduce the risk of infection.
More information on Mpox
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Mpox is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols in general, and transmission would not occur through social contact. The CHP reminds the public, especially those at higher risk of exposure, to take precautions and avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of being infected. 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. They should not engage in activities with others that may involve contact with skin rash or body fluids.
The DH has been providing Mpox vaccination services for high-risk groups, including individuals with high-risk sexual practices (such as having multiple sexual partners), sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months. Apart from the aforementioned newly added Mpox vaccination locations, high-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at any 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) and the DH's Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre, without prior appointments. Meanwhile, the DH's Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and PMH also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.
For more details, please visit the CHP's webpages on Mpox and the Mpox Vaccination Programme.
Ends/Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Issued at HKT 20:47
Issued at HKT 20:47
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