The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said July 7 that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, and urged the public to heighten vigilance and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox.
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Meanwhile, high-risk target groups are advised to receive Mpox vaccination.
The case involves a 48-year-old male patient with underlying illness. He had developed a localised skin ulcer since July 2 and visited the DH's Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre on July 5.
The CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch confirmed that his samples tested positive for the virus on July 6. Arrangements were made for him to be admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital and he is now in stable condition.
According to the patient, he has travelled to Germany during the incubation period. An initial investigation revealed that he had high-risk exposure after returning to Hong Kong.
No epidemiological linkages between this case and other confirmed cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier have been found so far. The CHP's epidemiological investigations of the case are ongoing, including contact tracing and infection source investigation.
The CHP will report the case to the World Health Organization.
The CHP reminds the public, especially those subject to high risks of exposure, to take precautions and avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of infection.
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.
The CHP reminds members of the public that Mpox is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols in general, and transmission would not occur through social contact. Proper personal and hand hygiene can help prevent getting infected via contact.
Currently, high-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccination at any one of the DH's six Social Hygiene Service Clinics (SocHS) (namely Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS). ■