CHP examines validated Mpox case
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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) stated today (November 5) that it is examining a verified Mpox (likewise called Monkeypox) case, and advised the general public to be alert and prevent close physical contact with individuals thought of contracting Mpox. High-risk target groups are recommended to get Mpox vaccinations.
The case includes a 29-year-old male. He established a skin ulcer on October 27. He participated in the Yau Ma Tei Male Social Hygiene Clinic of the DH on November 3 and was described Princess Margaret Hospital for seclusion treatment. He is presently in steady condition.
According to the client, he had actually not gotten Mpox vaccination and he had a history of high-risk direct exposure in Hong Kong throughout the incubation duration. No epidemiological linkages in between this case and other validated cases tape-recorded in Hong Kong previously might be recognized up until now. The CHP is continuing its epidemiological examinations of the case, will try to call people who had high-risk direct exposure to him and will report the case to the World Health Organization.
Hong Kong has actually put in location the Preparedness and Response Plan for Mpox because June 2022 and triggered the alert reaction level under the Plan after the very first verified case of Mpox in September of the exact same year. The CHP has actually carried out a series of steps (consisting of improved monitoring, contact tracing, public education and vaccination), which have actually worked in avoiding regional break outs of Mpox in the previous 3 years.
Given that 2022, an overall of 82 Mpox cases (66 regional and 16 imported) have actually been taped in Hong Kong, of which 14 cases were tape-recorded this year. All the clients were male. Epidemiological examinations exposed that the majority of cases had history of high-risk sexual behaviour, consisting of making love with complete strangers or without using prophylactics when making love. Hong Kong has actually not yet spotted any brand-new Mpox stress (Clade Ib) cases.
The CHP advised high-risk target groups to get Mpox vaccinations in order to decrease the threat of infection or the possibility of having more serious signs after infection. In addition, individuals who experience Mpox signs (consisting of rashes, fever, chills, inflamed lymph nodes, fatigue, muscle discomfort, and serious headaches) or think themselves of being contaminated are recommended to look for medical attention and get treatment simultaneously. They must not participate in activities with others that might expose others to their skin rash or body fluids. Members of the general public ought to preserve great individual and hand health to avoid infection transmission or infection through contact. They need to likewise prevent close physical contact with individuals or animals thought of being contaminated.
The CHP has actually established an Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373), which runs from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, leaving out public vacations. Those who believe or are worried that they might have had high-risk contact with verified cases, especially males who make love with guys or those who have sexual practices with complete strangers, can utilize the hotline to make queries and get appropriate health suggestions.
The DH supplies vaccination services to high-risk groups of Mpox. The following high-risk target groups are qualified for Mpox vaccinations on a voluntary basis:
- people with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. having numerous sexual partners, sex employees, or having a history of sexually sent infection within the previous 12 months;
- health care employees accountable for looking after clients with verified Mpox;
- lab workers dealing with zoonotic pox infections; and
- animal care workers with high danger of direct exposure in case of Mpox incidents in animals in Hong Kong.
High-risk target groups can get Mpox walk-in vaccinations at any of the DH’s Social Hygiene Service Clinics (SocHS) (particularly 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.
The DH’s Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and the Hospital Authority’s Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital likewise offer Mpox vaccination services for their customers.
For more information, please go to the CHP’s page on Mpox and Mpox Vaccination Programme.