Some patients in Hong Kong’s recent mpox cases have been unable to contact partners they met recently, hampering contact tracing and related control measures, the Centre for Health Protection said. The Centre recorded 26 cases from August to November 11; all patients reported high-risk sexual activity during the incubation period.
The latest patient, a 26-year-old man, developed a rash on his genitals, hands and face from November 1, followed by a fever. He went to Tseung Kwan O Hospital on November 8 and was admitted for isolation and treatment. His samples tested positive for mpox virus, and his condition was stable, the Centre said.
According to information the patient provided, he had high-risk sexual contact in Hong Kong during the incubation period with men he met through social media. The Centre said the reported high-risk activity among the 26 patients included sex with unfamiliar men or multiple partners, and sex without a condom. Most had not been vaccinated against mpox.
Vaccination sites had given mpox vaccine to 973 high-risk people since September 28, the Centre said.