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| CHP graphic |
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) today confirmed the third case of Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, prompting a call for people to avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox and for sex-workers to receive Mpox vaccinations.
The new case came as CHP continued investigating two confirmed
Mpox cases, who both previously visited a “hutong” (or pleasure house) on
Shanghai Street in Kowloon, but were not linked to the latest case, before
going to China.
Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded 87 Mpox cases (70 local
cases and 17 imported cases). All patients were male.
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Epidemiological investigations revealed that most cases had
history of high-risk sexual behavior, including having sex with strangers or
having sex without wearing condoms.
The latest case was a 44-year-old male who developed
itchiness and a skin rash over his lower body from May 13 and attended the Wan
Chai Male Social Hygiene Clinic (SocHS) of the Department of Health on May 18.
The CHP subsequently arranged for him to receive isolation
treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital. He is in stable condition.
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Information provided by the patient indicated he has not
been vaccinated against Mpox and had high-risk exposure in a hotel in Hong Kong
during the incubation period.
The two earlier cases were announced Monday (May 25) after
Chinese health authorities notified CHP.
The first case involved a 28-year-old male who developed a
fever and painful swelling in the groin area on May 8. He visited a "hutong"
on Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, on May 3, and had high-risk contacts there.
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The second case was a 30-year-old male who developed a rash
over both legs on May 15. He visited the premises on May 1 and May 3 and had
high-risk contacts there.
Although the two patients did not know each other, they both
stayed for several hours at the premises during the same period on May 3. Their
samples collected after the onset of symptoms tested positive for Mpox.
Both patients are now receiving medical treatment and are in stable
condition in China.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
The CHP has successfully contacted 140 persons who visited
the premises on or after May 1. “All are asymptomatic. The CHP has provided
them with health education and will put them under medical surveillance. As
investigations are still ongoing, the premises will be closed for 21 days
starting from today” CHP said.
The DH provides Mpox vaccination services for high‑risk
groups. The following high-risk target groups are eligible for Mpox
vaccinations 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 for patients with
confirmed Mpox;
laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and
animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of
Mpox occurrences in animals in Hong Kong.
High-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations
at any of the DH's 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.
The DH's Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and the
Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and
Princess Margaret Hospital also provide Mpox vaccination services.
