CHP examines 2 verified Mpox cases and advises high-risk target groups to get Mpox vaccination
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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) stated today (September 18) that it is examining 2 validated Mpox (likewise referred to as Monkeypox) cases. Due to the current boost in Mpox cases, the CHP highly advised people who have actually participated in high-risk sexual contact, especially with complete strangers, to stay watchful and take proper individual protective procedures, consisting of getting the Mpox vaccination, and prevent close physical contact with anybody thought of having actually contracted Mpox. Risky sexual contact can increase the threat of infection. The CHP has actually stepped up public education and outreach efforts, consisting of establishing an Mpox hotline (2125 2373) to offer health evaluations and guidance to individuals worried, reinforcing Mpox avoidance and control projects on social networks platforms, and sending out a letter to medical professionals throughout Hong Kong advising them to right away inform the CHP of presumed Mpox cases for follow-up.
Case information
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The very first brand-new case includes a 28-year-old male who established rashes over his body beginning on September 9, consisting of genital organs, lower arm, abdominal area and face. He looked for medical attention at a social health service center (SocHS) under the DH on September 15 and was organized to get seclusion treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital.
The other brand-new case includes a 26-year-old guy who established a fever, aching throat, myalgia, tiredness and lymphadenopathy on August 30. Consequently, a rash appeared in different parts of his body, including his genital organs, chest and limbs. As his signs continued, he respectively looked for medical attention on September 8 and 15. The CHP consequently organized him to get seclusion treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Upon lab screening by the CHP’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, the 2 people’ scientific specimens checked favorable for the monkeypox infection, and remain in steady condition.
According to info supplied by the 2 clients, both have actually had high-risk contact with other guys respectively in Hong Kong throughout the incubation duration.
No epidemiological linkages in between these 2 cases, nor with other validated Mpox cases tape-recorded previously in Hong Kong, have actually been determined up until now. The CHP is carrying out epidemiological examinations of the 2 cases, and will endeavour to get in touch with people who had high-risk contact with them. The CHP will likewise report these 2 cases to the World Health Organization.
Considering that 2022, Hong Kong has actually taped an overall of 109 Mpox cases (87 regional cases and 22 imported cases), consisting of those cases. All clients were males. Because this August, the variety of Mpox cases in Hong Kong has actually seen a boost. Since today, 25 cases have actually been tape-recorded this year, consisting of 20 regional cases and 5 imported cases. Amongst them, 16 are brand-new cases reported given that August. Epidemiological examinations revealed that amongst the 16 just recently recognized cases, all clients reported having sexes with males. No epidemiological links were discovered in between the cases. All clients reported taking part in high-risk sexual behaviours throughout the incubation duration, consisting of making love with male complete strangers or making love without a prophylactic. In 10 of these cases, clients reported utilizing dating apps to discover sexual partners.
Stepping up public education
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Epidemiological analysis reveals that high-risk sexual contact in between males (consisting of making love with unidentified males or numerous partners without utilizing prophylactics) is a danger aspect for Mpox infection. The CHP advises individuals who have actually taken part in high-risk sexual contact to look for medical attention right away if they establish signs related to Mpox, such as a rash, fever or inflamed lymph nodes. The CHP has actually established an Mpox hotline (2125 2373) to offer health evaluations and guidance to individuals worried, which runs daily from 9am to 6pm.
The CHP likewise stepped up its Mpox avoidance and control outreach on social networks platforms (consisting of dating apps), and will even more collaborate and interact with pertinent non-governmental organisations to reinforce health promo efforts for Mpox avoidance amongst target groups.
Getting immunized to avoid Mpox
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The Mpox vaccine can avoid infection and serious illness. The DH offers Mpox vaccination services for high-risk groups. 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 managing zoonotic pox infections; and
- animal care workers with high threat of direct exposure in case of Mpox events in animals in Hong Kong.
High-risk target groups can get Mpox walk-in vaccinations at any of the DH’s 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, without previous visits.
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.
Mpox is not transferred through breathing beads or aerosols in basic, and transmission would not take place through social contact. The CHP advises the general public, specifically those at greater threats of direct exposure, to take preventative measures and prevent close physical contact with individuals or animals believed of being contaminated. They need to look for medical attention as quickly as possible if they experience appropriate signs, consisting of rash, fever, chills, inflamed lymph nodes, fatigue, muscle discomfort, and extreme headaches. They need to not participate in activities with others that might include contact with skin rash or body fluids.
For more information, please go to the CHP’s websites on Mpox and Mpox Vaccination Programme.