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| HK regards FDHs as high risk for measles |
A third measles infection has reportedly occurred among three men working in the same company at the Hong Kong International Airport, prompting a call for airport staff and foreign domestic workers to get vaccinated against the disease.
The latest case involves a 37-year-old airport worker who developed a fever and myalgia since Apr 15, followed by a cough and a sore throat the next day.
He consulted a doctor in a Tuen Mun clinic on Apr 16 and 18 , after which he developed a rash. The next day the Center for Health Protection arranged for his admission to Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment and isolation.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
On Monday, tests showed he had measles. He remains in hospital where he’s reported to be in stable condition.
Further investigation showed he worked in the same company at the airport as the two other men who caught the disease earlier.
The patient lives alone and is unsure if he received measles vaccination. The CHP thinks the three cases are related.
According to the patient, in between visiting private clinics on Apr 16 and 18 he reported for work to the airport on Apr15 and 19.
The CHP has started contact tracing to find out close contacts of the patient, as well as high-risk individuals. A total of 31 individuals who were in the clinic while the patient was there, plus 68 staff at his workplace, have been identified as close contacts and will be closely monitored.
In addition a health booth set up by the CHP at the airport on Apr 18 has so far provided assessment and vaccination for more than 200 staff. It will continue to operate until Apr 22.
The press statement did not explain why FDHs were singled out in the police advisory, although it did say that cases of measles remain high in the Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia.
It added that while Hong Kong has a high level of immunization it remains vulnerable to infection from imported cases, owing to the big number of people who come in from various places.
As measles is airborne it could be highly contagious, but full vaccination is usually enough to protect one from infection.
The CHP has sent a letter to all registered doctors and aviation industry to inform them of the measles outbreak and urged them to be vigilant and report suspicious cases. A copy of the letter has also been sent to employment agencies asking them to encourage FDHs to receive the measles vaccine.
Measles has an incubation period of 7 to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. Travelers returning from places with measles outbreak are urged to seek medical advice, and to isolate immediately. Pregnant women and babies under a year old are high risk for the disease.
