Hong Kong Investigates Imported Mpox Case, Urges Vaccination for High-Risk Groups

CHP investigates imported Mpox case

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (November 13) that it is investigating an imported 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 34-year-old man who developed a fever, fatigue and rash on his arms on November 9. The rash subsequently spread to various parts of his body, including his genital area, abdomen and chest. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital for medical consultation on November 11 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 with other men outside Hong Kong 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 120 Mpox cases (94 local cases and 26 imported cases). All patients are male. Epidemiological investigations revealed that among the 27 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 Mpox vaccination.

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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The Mpox vaccine can prevent infection and severe disease. Since late September, the CHP has set up an additional Mpox vaccination centre at the CHP Building, in addition to regular vaccination venues established by the Government. The CHP has 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, over 1 000 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 for individuals in need to get vaccinated at 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

Environmental samples from Mai Po Nature Reserve test positive for H5 virus

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) was notified yesterday (November 12) by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) that two environmental samples taken from the Mai Po Nature Reserve (MPNR) had tested positive for the H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.

In collaboration with the AFCD, a research team of the School of Public Health, HKU, regularly collects samples from the MPNR for avian influenza surveillance. Two of the environmental samples collected on November 11 were confirmed to be positive for the H5 virus.

An AFCD spokesman said that the World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong, which assisted the Government in managing the MPNR, has stepped up cleansing and disinfection of tourist facilities, including bird hides and the floating boardwalk. Disinfection mats have been placed at the entrance of the MPNR for visitors to disinfect the soles of their shoes. In addition, the AFCD is closely monitoring the situation of the birds in the MPNR and has put up notices to remind visitors to pay attention to personal hygiene.

There are no chicken farms within three kilometres of where the samples were collected. The AFCD has strengthened avian influenza surveillance and is closely monitoring the situation of the local poultry farms and the wholesale market. Poultry farmers, pet bird shop owners, and licence holders of bird exhibitions are reminded from time to time to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza are implemented.

"People should avoid contact with wild birds and live poultry as well as their droppings. They should clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them. The public can call 1823 for the AFCD to follow up if they come across suspected sick or dead birds, including the carcasses of wild birds and poultry," the spokesman said.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will maintain vigilance over live poultry stalls. It will also remind stall operators to maintain good hygiene.

The Department of Health will continue its health education to remind members of the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent avian influenza.

The AFCD, the FEHD, the Customs and Excise Department and the Police will strive to deter the illegal import of poultry and birds into Hong Kong to minimise the risk of avian influenza outbreaks caused by imported poultry and birds that have not gone through inspection and quarantine.

All relevant government departments will continue to be highly vigilant and strictly enforce preventive measures against avian influenza. Health advice about preventing avian influenza is available on the AFCD website at www.afcd.gov.hk/english/quarantine/qua_live/H5N1_healthadvice.html.

Source: AI-found images