CHP Investigates Confirmed Mpox Case, Urges Vigilance and Vaccination for High-Risk Groups

CHP investigates confirmed Mpox case

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (March 21) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, and urged the public to be vigilant and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox. Meanwhile, high-risk target groups are advised to receive Mpox vaccinations.

The case involves a 35-year-old male with underlying illness. He developed skin ulcer, bleeding and fever on March 13, and attended the Wan Chai MaleSocial Hygiene Clinicof the DH on March 17. He is in stable condition, and is being arranged for treatment and isolation at Princess Margaret Hospital.

An initial investigation revealed that he had a history of high-risk exposure in Hong Kong during the incubation period, but no epidemiological linkages have been established between this case and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong. The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations of the case and will report the case to the World Health Organization.

The CHP reminded the high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccinations in order to lower the risk of infection or the possibility of having more severe symptoms after infection. In addition, persons who experience Mpox symptoms (including rashes, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches) or suspect themselves of being infected are advised to seek medical attention and receive treatment at once. They should not engage in activities with others that may expose others to their skin rash or body fluids. Members of the public should maintain good personal and hand hygiene to prevent virus transmission or infection through contact. They should also avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of being infected.

The CHP has set up an Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373), which operates from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, excluding public holidays. Those who suspect or are concerned that they may have had high-risk contact with confirmed cases, particularly men who have sex with men or those who have sexual practices with strangers, can use the hotline to make enquiries and receive relevant health advice.

Furthermore, the DH provides vaccination services to high-risk groups of Mpox. The following high-risk target groups are eligible for Mpox vaccinations on a voluntary basis:

Individuals with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;

Healthcare workersresponsible forcaring forpatients with confirmed Mpox;

Laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and

Animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of Mpox occurrences in animals in Hong Kong.

The high-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at any of the DH's Social Hygiene Service Clinics (SocHS) (namely 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.

Meanwhile, the DH's Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.

For more details, please visit the CHP's page onMpoxandMpox Vaccination Programme.

Emergency repair works on sewer at Seaview Promenade, Deep Water Bay

A spokesman for the Drainage Services Department (DSD) said today (March 24) that the DSD received a report on sewer leakage at Seaview Promenade, Deep Water Bay, in the evening yesterday (March 23). An investigation was immediately conducted and it was confirmed that the concerned sewer is a 450 millimetres diameter pressurised sewage main. The DSD is carrying out emergency repair works. The quality of the nearby waters will potentially be affected. Members of the public are advised not to swim at Deep Water Bay Beach and Repulse Bay Beach or the nearby waters to protect public health.

The DSD commenced the construction and rehabilitation of sewage rising mains in Southern District in January this year, to construct about 8.8 kilometres of sewage rising mainsconnecting the sewage pumping station at Island Road, Southern District, to the sewerage system at Ap Lei Chau Bridge Road, including the construction of about 1.5km subsea twin pressurised sewer to replace the above concerned pressurised sewage main, to enhance the overall stability of the sewage system.