Hong Kong reports new monkeypox case, urges high-risk groups to get vaccinated
A 26-year-old man was diagnosed with monkeypox on 11 November after developing a rash and fever. Health authorities confirmed the case and said he had high-risk sexual contact with men met through social media. Since August, 26 local cases have been recorded, all involving high-risk sexual behaviour
Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) is investigating a new monkeypox case involving a 26-year-old man. He developed a rash on his genitals, hands and face from 1 November and later experienced a fever. He sought treatment at Tseung Kwan O Hospital on 8 November and was admitted for isolation. His condition is stable. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the monkeypox virus.
According to the patient, during the incubation period he had high-risk sexual contact in Hong Kong with men he met through social media platforms. The CHP is conducting epidemiological investigations and will report the case to the World Health Organization.
Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded 119 monkeypox cases, all in men, comprising 94 local and 25 imported cases. Epidemiological investigations of the 26 cases recorded since August found that all patients reported high-risk sexual behaviour during the incubation period, including sex with strangers or multiple partners and unprotected sex. Most had not received the monkeypox vaccine.
Local patients since August have frequently used specific dating applications to find male sexual partners. Some patients could not be contacted after diagnosis, hindering contact tracing. The CHP has stepped up prevention messages on social media and works with dating-app operators to push notifications on prevention and vaccination to all Hong Kong users.
The CHP calls on people with high-risk sexual contact, especially with strangers, to take precautions, including getting vaccinated and avoiding risky encounters. It advises keeping partners’ contact details to facilitate contact tracing if needed.
Since late September, the CHP has added a vaccination centre at its headquarters and organised outreach services with non-governmental organisations. From 28 September, 973 high-risk individuals received the vaccine. Studies show two doses can reduce infection risk by 82 per cent and, in Hong Kong, cut the spread of the virus to other parts of the body by 87 per cent.
The CHP’s monkeypox hotline (2125 2373) operates daily from 9am to 6pm, offering health assessments and vaccination appointments. The public is reminded that monkeypox is not airborne or spread through casual contact. Those with symptoms such as rash, fever, chills or swollen lymph nodes should seek medical care immediately.
