CHP Received Notification from Chinese Mainland of Two Mpox Cases with Epidemiological Linkage in Hong Kong

CHP received notification from Chinese Mainland of two Mpox cases with epidemiological linkage in Hong Kong

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (May 25) that it has received notification from the health authorities of the Chinese Mainland of two confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) cases who had high-risk contact in Hong Kong under the joint prevention and control mechanism. The CHP has immediately carried out follow-up actions and epidemiological investigation. The CHP urged the public to be vigilant and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox. Meanwhile, high-risk target groups are advised to receive Mpox vaccination.

According to the investigation results from the health authorities of the Chinese Mainland, the first case involved a 28-year-old male who developed a fever and painful swelling in the groin area on May 8. During his incubation period, he visited a premises called "Hutong" on Shanghai Street, Mong Kok,on May 3,and had high-risk contacts there. The second case involved a 30-year-old male who developed a rash over his bilateral lower limbs on May 15. During his incubation period, he visited the above-mentioned premises on May 1 and May 3 respectively and had high-risk contacts there. Although the two patients did not know each other, they both stayed for several hours at this 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 in stable condition in the Chinese Mainland.

The CHP considers that the two patients may have been infected through highrisk contact with a person infected with Mpox at the premises. The CHP has visited the premises for an onsite inspection and commenced contact tracing. The CHP has attempted to obtain a list of customers who had visited the premises on that day, but the person-in-charge of the premises was unable to provide the relevant customer information. The CHP already has provided health education to the staff of the premises. To date, all staff members remain asymptomatic.

The CHP has set up a telephone hotline (2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). The CHP appeals to the members of the public who have visited the concerned premises on Shanghai Street since May 1, especially those who have hadsexual contact with strangers there, to call the Mpox telephone hotline as soon as possible, to facilitate the CHP to provide health assessments and advice. The CHP will arrange persons with relevant symptoms to have testing. The CHP has also reminded healthcare professionals of the Hospital Authority and the Social Hygiene Service Clinics (SocHS) under the CHP that, if a patient is found to have compatible symptoms and has visited the concerned premises, arrangements should be made for the patient to undergo testing.

The CHP's contact tracing and investigation into the source of infection are still ongoing. It will maintain close liaison with the health authorities of the Chinese Mainland, and exchange information on the relevant epidemiological investigations and contacttracing work.

Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 86 Mpox cases (69 local cases and 17 imported cases), including the two above-mentioned cases. All patients were males. Epidemiological investigations revealed that most cases had history of high-risk sexual behaviour, including having sex with strangers or having sex without wearing condoms.

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 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 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.

Mpox vaccine can prevent infection and severe disease. The DH provides Mpox vaccination services for highrisk 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 workersresponsible forcaring forpatients with confirmed Mpox;

• laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and

• animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in caseof 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.

Meanwhile, 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 for their clients.

For more details, please visit the CHP's page on Mpox and Mpox Vaccination Programme.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP), Photo source: reference image

LD reminds employers and employees to take heat stroke preventive measures in times of Heat Stress at Work Warning

As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.

Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.

The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.

A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees' risk of heat stroke.

Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.

The LD issued the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work", detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers' and employees' reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department's thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm.

Source: AI-found images