Hong Kong records fifth monkeypox case, authorities call for vigilance and urge high-risk groups to get vaccinated

Patient, 59, travelled to Guangdong province multiple times and was not linked to other Hong Kong cases

Public urged to seek help if they develop symptoms, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain or severe headaches

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Hong Kong has recorded its fifth case of monkeypox. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 6:50pm, 29 Apr 2023Updated: 7:06pm, 29 Apr 2023

Hong Kong health authorities have called on residents to be more vigilant after the city recorded its fifth monkeypox infection, which is not linked to other confirmed cases according to a preliminary investigation.

The latest case involves a 59-year-old male patient with chronic disease who developed a body rash last Tuesday. He visited the Yau Ma Tei Male Social Hygiene Clinic of the Department of Health on Thursday and tested positive for monkeypox on Friday evening, according to the Centre for Health Protection on Saturday.

“He was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital and is now in a stable condition,” it said.

An initial investigation found that the patient, who had travelled to Guangdong multiple times from April 2 to 19, had high-risk exposure during the incubation period.

“No epidemiological links between this case and other confirmed cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier have been found,” the centre said. “The [centre’s] epidemiological investigations of the case are ongoing, including contact tracing and infection source investigation.”

The centre urged the public to heighten vigilance, avoid close physical contact with people suspected of having monkeypox, and get the mpox vaccine if they are in the high-risk target groups.

They should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they experience the following symptoms: rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain or severe headaches, it added.

Hong Kong records fifth monkeypox case, authorities call for vigilance and urge high-risk groups to get vaccinated

Patient, 59, travelled to Guangdong province multiple times and was not linked to other Hong Kong cases Public urged to seek help if they develop symptoms, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain or severe headaches

Patient, 59, travelled to Guangdong province multiple times and was not linked to other Hong Kong cases

Public urged to seek help if they develop symptoms, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain or severe headaches