Hong Kong Confirms 5th Mpox Patient

The SCMP reported today that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (HKSAR) recorded its fifth Mpox case. This 59-year-old patient had traveled to Guangdong province multiple times and was not linked to other Hong Kong cases as of April 30, 2023.

The initial Mpox patient was confirmed in September 2022 and presented with an infectious mononucleosis-like syndrome.

Since May 2022, over 100 countries have reported Mpox cases.

HKSAR's Health Department identified most of these cases among men. Mpox is caused by a sexually transmissible virus, and members of the public should seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever, severe headache, muscle pain, swollen lymph node, mouth lesion, and rash.

Hong Kong's Mpox Vaccination Programme (JYNNEOS® (MVA-BN)) for high-risk groups began on October 5, 2022.

As of April 30, 2023, Mpox vaccines and treatments (TPOXX® (Tecovirimat)) were available in most countries.

However, recent research indicates breakthrough cases are being reported post-therapy.

Separately, the U.S. CDC recommends various routine and travel vaccination before visiting Hong Kong in 2023.