Hong Kong Investigates Mpox Case, Urges High-Risk Groups to Get Vaccinated Amid Rising Infections

CHP investigates confirmed Mpox case

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (November 11) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, and strongly urged high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccinations. Meanwhile, the public is advised to be vigilant and avoid close physical contact with individuals suspected of contracting Mpox.

Case details

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The case involves a 26-year-old man who developed a rash over his genital area, hand and face since November 1, followed by a fever. He attended Tsueng Kwan O Hospital for medical consultation on November 8 and was admitted for isolation treatment. He is currently in stable condition. Upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, his clinical specimen tested positive for the Monkeypox virus.

According to information provided by the patient, he had high-risk sexual contact in Hong Kong with other men met through social media platform during the incubation period. The CHP is continuing an epidemiological investigation of the case, and will report the case to the World Health Organization.

Latest situation of Mpox cases

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Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded 119 Mpox cases (94 local cases and 25 imported cases). All patients are male. Epidemiological investigations revealed that among the 26 cases recorded since August, all patients reported having engaged in high-risk sexual activities during the incubation period, including having sex with male strangers or multiple partners, and having sex without a condom. Most of them have not received the Mpox vaccinations.

Among the local cases recorded since August, patients commonly used specific dating apps to find casual male 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 collaborated with the operators of relevant dating apps to regularly push information about Mpox prevention and vaccination to all users in Hong Kong.

The CHP urges individuals who have engaged in high-risk sexual contact, particularly with male strangers, to remain vigilant and take appropriate personal protective measures, including receiving the Mpox vaccination and avoiding high-risk sexual contact, so as to lower the risk of infection. Members of the public should retain their sexual partners' contact information to facilitate contact tracing when necessary.

Strengthening prevention

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Mpox vaccine can prevent infection and severe disease. Since late September, the CHP had set up an additional Mpox vaccination centre at the CHP Building, in addition to regular vaccination venues established by the Government. The CHP had also collaborated with relevant non-governmental organisations to provide outreach vaccination services, providing convenience and incentives to encourage individuals with high-risk contacts to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Since September 28, 973 high-risk individuals have received the Mpox vaccine at the regular and additional vaccination venues.

Vaccination provides a highly effective protective barrier. Studies show that receiving two doses of the Mpox vaccine reduces the risk of infection by 82 per cent, which significantly lowers the risk of transmission to sexual partners, and protects both the vaccinated individual and others. Local data also show that vaccinated patients are 87 per cent less likely to experience viral spread to other parts of the body.

The CHP's Mpox hotline (2125 2373) will continue to provide health assessments and advice to high-risk individuals. The hotline will arrange individuals in need to get vaccinated inside the CHP. The hotline operates daily from 9am to 6pm.

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 past 12 months.

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

Source: AI-found images

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