Hong Kong reports new monkeypox case, closes Mong Kok venue
A 39-year-old man has tested positive for monkeypox in Hong Kong after high-risk sexual contact at a Mong Kok venue, which has been advised to close. The Centre for Health Protection urges visitors since September 14 to call a hotline, as cases rise sharply.
Hong Kong has recorded a new monkeypox case involving a 39-year-old man, who is in stable condition and receiving isolation treatment, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said on Tuesday.
The patient developed rashes on his right foot, face, back and buttocks from October 5, and visited a private doctor on October 8. He was referred to Yan Chai Hospital the next day for isolation treatment, where his clinical samples tested positive for the monkeypox virus. He has since been transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital for continued care.
During his incubation period, the man made multiple visits to a premises called "Hutong" on Shanghai Street in Mong Kok, where he had high-risk sexual contact with strangers. As a precaution, the CHP has advised the venue to suspend operations from Tuesday.
The CHP, together with police, conducted an on-site investigation at Hutong and provided health education to staff, none of whom have shown symptoms so far. The centre is urging anyone who visited the premises on or after September 14, particularly those who had sexual contact with strangers there, to call the hotline 2125 2373 for a health assessment.
Hong Kong has recorded 22 monkeypox cases since August, accounting for about 70 per cent of the 31 cases this year. All patients are male and reported high-risk sexual behaviour, with most unvaccinated. Genetic analysis shows some patients share identical sequences, suggesting a common source of infection and multiple transmission chains within the men who have sex with men community.
In response to the recent surge, the CHP has stepped up targeted control measures. The number of monkeypox vaccine doses administered this month has risen by more than 70 per cent compared with the previous month. The centre is urging high-risk individuals to get vaccinated promptly and to keep contact details of sexual partners to facilitate contact tracing.