CHP Investigates Rise in Mpox Cases, Urges Vaccination and Safe Practices Amid Increasing Infections

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

DH clarifies COVID-19 vaccination arrangements

In response to comments from a medical organisation about a lack of stock of COVID-19 vaccines and concerns about low COVID-19 vaccination rates, as well as related media enquiries, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (November 11) issued the following clarification:

Scientific evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing the risk of severe disease and death. Following the recommendations of the World Health Organization, and the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases(Joint Scientific Committee) under the CHP, the CHP has continuously encouraged the public to receive the vaccine at appropriate times to minimise the risk of severe disease and death after being infected by COVID-19. Thanks to the government's and relevant sectors' continuous efforts to promote vaccination, the uptake rate of the initial doses of COVID-19 vaccine in Hong Kong exceeds 90 per cent, which is considered high internationally.

Regarding COVID-19 booster vaccination, the Joint Scientific Committee recommended them only for high-risk priority groups. Besides, one must receive a vaccine booster at least 180 days after their last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later). Therefore, the vaccination rate is expected to be relatively low. Due to reinfection or vaccination, many people infected with COVID-19 experience milder symptoms and chose not to seek medical care. The Government faces limitations in collecting and reviewing the latest infection figures. As a result, the actual vaccination rates for high-risk priority groups cannot be accurately determined.

The CHP previously announced that the shelf life of the LP.8.1 vaccine for children and adults would expire in mid-July and early September of this year respectively, and that the production and shipment of COVID-19 vaccines containing new ingredients would take time. Starting October 29, the CHP has been providing the Spikevax XFG mRNA vaccine to childrenaged 6 months to 11 years. The first shipment of the new batch of Spikevax XFG vaccine for individuals aged 12 or above is expected to arrive in Hong Kong next month (December). By then, market supply will resume and private doctors will be able to order from pharmaceutical companies as usual. During this transitional period while awaiting vaccine production and delivery, the absence of COVID-19 vaccinations for adults is normal and temporary.

Regarding COVID-19 vaccination venues, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines currently in use require complex cold-chain handling and have a limited shelf life after thawing. To provide convenience to the public, minimise vaccine wastage and ensure vaccine efficacy, the Government has set up a total of 75 COVID-19 vaccination venues across Hong Kong, including Specialist Out-patient Clinics (SOPCs) and Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs) in public hospitals, private clinics, Maternal and Child Health Centres, etc. Given that patients co-infected with seasonal influenza and COVID-19 are at a higher risk of severe complications and death, the CHP all along recommends that priority groups receive both seasonal influenza vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination booster to reduce the risk of serious illness and death.Eligible persons can receive both COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations at all current COVID-19 vaccination venues, including SOPCs and FMCs of the concerned public hospitals, as well as private clinics. Therefore, the CHP considers that there is currently no need to further expand the number of COVID-19 vaccination venues.

According to a survey conducted by the medical organisation concerned, nearly 40 per cent of the doctors surveyed do not proactively remind patients to receive COVID-19 vaccination. The CHP expressed concern about this and urged healthcare professionals to proactively remind patients of the importance of receiving COVID-19 vaccination in a timely manner. Even if their clinics do not provide vaccination services, healthcare professionals can still provide patients with information about the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme to help safeguard public health.

The CHP will continue to strengthen publicity and education efforts through various online and offline channels to encourage priority groups to receive COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible once the COVID-19 vaccines for persons aged 12 or above is available.

For more information about the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, please visit the CHP's website.

Source: AI-found images