CHP investigates confirmed Mpox case and continues to take multipronged approach to break transmission chains
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (October 10) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case. Due to the recent significant increase in Mpox cases in Hong Kong, the CHP is implementing targeted prevention and control measures through a multi-pronged approach in order to break the transmission chains. Owing to these measures, the number of vaccines administered under the Mpox vaccination programme has risen significantly, with the number of doses administered earlier this month surging by more than 70 per cent compared to the same period last month. The CHP once again urges 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 and avoid high-risk sexual contact, so as to lower the risk of infection. The CHP also noted that over half of the patients recorded in recent months used dating apps to find casual sexual partners. In some cases, patients were unable to contact their newly met sexual partners, which hinders effective contact tracing and the implementation of corresponding prevention and control measures. The CHP strongly urges the public to retain their sexual partners' contact information to facilitate contact tracing when necessary.
Case details
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The new case involves a 29-year-old man who developed a papule over his buttock on September 28, followed by rashes over his limbs and buttock, along with a fever and swollen lymph nodes. On October 8, while attending an outreach vaccination service organised by the CHP, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Christian Service, a non-governmental organization (NGO), CHP staff noticed his symptoms and arranged for him to receive isolation treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital. Upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB), 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 a man 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.
Latest situation of Mpox cases
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Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded 114 Mpox cases (90 local cases and 24 imported cases). All patients are males. As of today, 30 cases have been recorded this year, including 23 local cases and seven imported cases. Since August, there have been 21 new cases, accounting for 70 per cent of the total number of cases this year.
Epidemiological investigations showed that all 21 cases identified since August 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. Most of the patients had not received the Mpox vaccination.
The CHP's PHLSB conducted genetic analysis of the virus and found that some cases had identical genetic sequences. This suggests that the cases may have shared a common source of infection, with multiple transmission chains existing among men who have sex with men population.
Newly Mpox vaccination venues
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Mpox vaccine can prevent infection and severe disease. Since late September, in addition to regular vaccination venues, the CHP has set up an additional Mpox vaccination centre at the CHP Building, and has collaborated with three NGOs (namely Community Health Organisation for Intervention, Care and Empowerment; Hong Kong AIDS Foundation; and Hong Kong Christian Service) to provide outreach vaccination services. Together with the various existing vaccination venues, the CHP has successfully administered the Mpox vaccine to approximately 360 high-risk individuals over the past two weeks.
To further reduce the risk of community infection and transmission, the CHP will continue to actively increase the locations and time slots for Mpox vaccination. Following the completion of three outreach vaccination sessions recently, the CHP has arranged the following services:
(i) Hong Kong AIDS Foundation - Mong Kok Service Centre
Date and time: October 14 (Wednesday), 5pm to 8pm
Location: Bright Way Tower, 33 Mong Kok Road, Mong Kok, Kowloon
(Online appointments: https://forms.gle/ytDgGsn9V2R8wL4VA)
(ii) Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre (additional session)
Date and time: October 24 (Saturday), 10am to 1pm
Location: 7/F, Yau Ma Tei Jockey Club Polyclinic, 145 Battery Street, Yau Ma Tei
(Phone reservations: Please call Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre at 2195 6588 from 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, to make an appointment. Places are limited.)
Strengthening public education and awareness
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The CHP's Mpox hotline (2125 2373) provides health assessments advice and vaccination arrangements for affected individuals. The hotline operates daily from 9am to 6pm.
The CHP has consistently conducted comprehensive and in-depth epidemiological investigations into every Mpox case, striving to contact individuals who have had high-risk contact with the patients. The CHP's epidemiological investigations showed that patients more frequently used specific dating apps to find casual sexual partners. After testing positive, some patients were unable to contact their newly met sexual partners, which hindered the CHP's ability to conduct effective contact tracing and implement corresponding prevention and control measures. In view of this, the CHP has increased its outreach on social media platforms to promote Mpox prevention and vaccination, and has successfully collaborated with the operators of relevant dating apps to regularly push information about monkeypox prevention and vaccination to all users in Hong Kong.
The CHP staff visited various entertainment venues, including saunas, to promote health and remind individuals at high risk of exposure that vaccination protects against infection and reduces the likelihood of transmitting it to others. Due to the current surge in Mpox cases, individuals should limit the number of sexual partners and use condoms in addition to getting vaccinated to further reduce the risk of infection.
More information on Mpox
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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.
The DH has been providing 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 past12 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 HA'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 webpages on Mpox and the Mpox Vaccination Programme.
The Centre for Health Protection, Photo source: reference image
