CHP investigates confirmed Mpox case
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (September 24) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case. The CHP has noticed a significant increase in Mpox cases recently and strongly urged individuals who have engaged in high-risk sexual contact, particularly with strangers, to remain vigilant and take appropriate personal protective measures, including receiving the Mpox vaccination. Close physical contact with anyone suspected of having contracted Mpox must be avoided. The CHP emphasised that unsafe sexual contact increases the risk of infection.
The CHP has implemented a series of targeted prevention and control measures, including setting up an Mpox hotline (2125 2373) to conduct close contact tracing, provide health assessments and arrange vaccination services; collaborating with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to provide outreach vaccination services; strengthening the promotion of safer sex in high-risk venues (e.g. saunas); and collaborating with operators of relevant dating apps to disseminate prevention messages.
Case details
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The case involves a 36-year-old man who developed a fever and perianal ulcer on September 15. He attended a social hygiene service (SocHS) clinic under the DH on September 18 and was arranged by the CHP to be admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital for isolation treatment. Upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, his clinical specimen tested positive for the Monkeypox virus. The patient is currently in stable condition.
According to information provided by the patient, he had high-risk sexual exposure with other men in Hong Kong during the incubation period. The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigation of the case and will report it to the World Health Organization.
Number of Mpox cases have shown a sustained increase since August
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Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded 112 Mpox cases (89 local cases and 23 imported cases), including the above-mentioned case. All patients are males. The number of Mpox cases in Hong Kong has increased since August. As of today, 28 cases have been recorded this year, including 22 local cases and six imported cases. Among them, 19 were new cases reported since August. Epidemiological investigations showed that of the 19 recently identified cases, all patients reported engaging in high-risk sexual behaviours during the incubation period including having sex with male strangers or multiple partners, and having sex without a condom. A total of 11 patients used dating apps to find casual sexual partners. Most of the patients had not received the Mpox vaccine and around 40 per cent of them are infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch conducted genetic analysis of the virus and found that some cases had identical genetic sequences. This suggests that they may have shared a common source of infection, with several transmission chains existing among men who have sex with men population. Despite conducting in-depth epidemiological investigations, the CHP has been unable to contact some newly met sexual partners of some of the confirmed Mpox cases. This has hindered the CHP's ability to effectively conduct contact tracing and implement corresponding prevention and control measures. Therefore, the CHP strongly urged the public to keep their sexual partners’ contact information to facilitate contact tracing when necessary.
Stepping up public education and outreach efforts
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The CHP urged individuals who have engaged in high-risk sexual contact to seek medical attention immediately if they develop symptoms associated with Mpox, such as a rash, fever or swollen lymph nodes.The CHP has set up an Mpox hotline (2125 2373) to provide health assessments advice and vaccination arrangements for affected individuals. The hotline operates daily from 9am to 6pm.
In addition,the CHP has stepped up its Mpox prevention and control outreach on social media platforms (including dating apps) and is collaborating with relevant NGOs (including the Community Health Organisation for Intervention, Care and Empowerment; the Hong Kong AIDS Foundation; and the Hong Kong Christian Service) to arrange outreach vaccination services. The CHP also deployed staff to conduct health promotion activities at a number of entertainment venues, including sauna establishments. The CHP has also arranged with the operators of relevant dating apps to send pop-up messages to users in Hong Kong through the app, warning them of the risks of unsafe sexual contact and promoting Mpox vaccination.
Getting vaccinated to prevent Mpox
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The Mpox vaccine can prevent infection and severe disease. The DH provides 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. 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, 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 Princess Margaret Hospital also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.
In response to the significant recent increase in Mpox cases, the DH has established an additional Mpox vaccination centre at the CHP Building at 147C Argyle Street in Mong Kok to administer Mpox vaccinations to high-risk groups. Members of the high-risk target groups may call the aforesaid hotline (2125 2373) to arrange their vaccination with DH staff.
Outreach vaccination services
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To facilitate vaccination for high-risk groups, the CHP will collaborate with NGOs to arrange outreach vaccination services. Details of the currently scheduled services are as follows:
(i) Community Health Organisation for Intervention, Care and Empowerment
Date and time: September 29 (Tuesday), 5pm to 8pm
Location: Room 302, 3/F, Henley Industrial Centre, 9-15 Bute Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon
(Phone reservations: 3188 9024)
(ii) Hong Kong AIDS Foundation - Mong Kok Service Centre
Date and time: October 3 (Saturday), 10am to 4pm
Location: Bright Way Tower, 33 Mong Kok Road, Mong Kok, Kowloon
(Online appointments: https://forms.gle/pbdqzjEJrqfjUhxN6)
(iii) Hong Kong Christian Service - PS33-Tsimshatsui Centre
Date and Time: October 8 (Thursday), 5pm to 8pm
Location: 6/F, HKSC Tower, 79-81 Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
(Phone reservations: 2368 8269)
High-risk target groups may make a vaccination appointment through the websites or hotlines of relevant organisations as stated above.
Preventive measures
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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.
For more details, please visit the CHP's webpages on Mpox and the Mpox Vaccination Programme.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said today (September 24) that it has noticed a significant increase in the number of Mpox cases recently and strongly urged individuals who have engaged in high-risk sexual contact, particularly with strangers, to remain vigilant and take appropriate personal protective measures, including receiving the Mpox vaccination. Photo shows a CHP staff visiting an entertainment premises to put up a poster. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
