CHP Investigating Confirmed Monkeypox Case: Urges Vigilance and Vaccinations

CHP investigates confirmed Mpox case

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (August 2) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, 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 vaccinations.

The case involves a 30-year-old male patient with good past health. He developed a skin rash on July 26. He visited private doctors on July 27 and 31, and attended the Yau Ma Tei MaleSocial Hygiene Clinic of the DH on July 31. He is in stable condition and arrangements have been made for him to be admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital.

According to the patient, he had history of high-risk exposure in Hong Kong during the incubation period. An initial investigation revealed that no epidemiological linkages between this case and other confirmed cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier have been found so far. The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations of the case and will report the case to the World Health Organization.

The CHP appeals again to high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccinations with a view to lowering the risk of infection or the possibility of having more severe symptoms after infection. Persons who experience Mpox symptoms (including rashes, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches) or suspect themselves of being infected are advised to seek medical attention and receive treatment at once, and they should not engage in activities with others during which other people may have contact with their skin rash or body fluids. Members of the public should maintain good personal and hand hygiene to prevent virus transmission or infection through contact. They should also avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of infection.

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.

The DH provides vaccination services for high-risk groups of MPox. The following high-risk target groups can receive Mpox vaccinations on a voluntary basis:

High-risk target groups can 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 atwww.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcf.htmlandwww.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcm.html.

Meanwhile, the DH's Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre, and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital will also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.

For more details, please visit the CHP's page onMpox.

Source: AI-generated images

CHP follows up on cluster of Candida auris carrier cases

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 17) following up on a cluster of Candida auris carrier cases involving a total of four residentsat a residential care home for the elderly (RCHE) in Mong Kok, and reminded members of the public about the proper use of antimicrobials and maintaining personal hygiene against infection.

The CHP received notification from the Hospital Authority that a 72-year-old male resident of the aforementionedRCHE, who was earlier admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital and discharged back to the RCHE, was confirmed on September 2 to have carried Candida auris upon testing.

Upon receiving the notification, the CHP conducted contact tracing and screening and epidemiological investigationsat the RCHE, and found three other carrier cases involving two male residents aged 66 and 75 and a female resident aged 83. The four of them, with underlying illnesses, have no symptoms of infection, and are in stable condition.

The CHP is continuing its investigation on the infection source of the cluster and a site inspection has been conducted. It is found that the first case (72-year-old male resident) was discharged without knowing the carrier status and cannot rule out the possibility of infection spread within the RCHE before appropriate infection control measures were implemented.

The CHP has provided infection control advice and training to staff of the RCHE. The RCHE is advised to follow the prevailing guidelines to enhance infection control measures including appropriate placement of carrier residents, strict implementation of contact precautions, enhancement of environmental cleansing and disinfection, use of dedicated medical equipment, toilet and bathing facilities to prevent the spread of Candida auris. The CHP will keep in close liaison with the RCHE concerned, monitor the situation of the residents and ensure the RCHE has carried out the various infection control measures.

A spokesman for the CHP explained that Candida is a fungus commonly found in the natural environment, particularly in moist and warm environments. In humans, it is commonly found in body sites such as the oral cavity, the digestive tract, the skin and the vagina. It is a common fungus living on or in the human body but can occasionally cause infections, especially in individuals with impaired immunity.

Among the different candida species, Candida auris is more drug-resistant. Infections vary from being mild to potentially life-threatening or fatal, depending on which part of the body is affected and the general health condition of the patient. The spokesman stressed that proper use of antimicrobials and maintaining personal hygiene, especially hand hygiene, are crucial to the prevention of the emergence and cross-transmission of Candida auris.

Source: AI-generated images