Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection has stepped up prevention and vaccination measures in response to the recent rise in mpox cases, also known as monkeypox, after 21 infections were recorded since August 2026, accounting for 70% of all cases identified in the city this year.
New infection raises Hong Kong’s case total
The Centre said the 70% figure referred to the share of cases recorded since August out of all infections in 2026, while the increase of more than 70% referred to the number of vaccine doses administered in early October compared with the same period in September. According to details of the new case, the man developed a pimple on his buttock on 28 September, followed by a rash on his limbs and buttocks, as well as fever and swollen lymph nodes.
On 8 October, Centre staff noticed his symptoms while he was attending an outreach vaccination session organised in collaboration with a Christian social services organisation. The man was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital for isolation treatment before tests by the Public Health Laboratory confirmed that he had mpox.
The Centre said his condition was stable and that he had reported high-risk sexual contact with a man in Hong Kong during the disease’s incubation period. The Centre is continuing its epidemiological investigation into the case and will notify the World Health Organisation.
Investigations reveal multiple transmission chains
Investigations into the 21 cases recorded since August showed that all those infected reported engaging in high-risk sexual behaviour during the incubation period, including contact with strangers or multiple partners and sex without a condom, while most had not received an mpox vaccine. Genetic analyses by the Public Health Laboratory also showed matching viral genetic sequences in some cases.
The Centre said the finding suggested a possible common source of infection and multiple chains of viral transmission among men who have sex with men. It noted that more than half of those infected in recent months had used dating apps to find casual sexual partners.
In several cases, those infected were unable to contact their new partners after the infection was confirmed, hindering contact-tracing and prevention and control measures. The authorities urged people to retain their partners’ contact details to facilitate tracing when necessary. They also worked with dating-app operators to send users in Hong Kong regular information about disease prevention and vaccination.
Centre staff also visited several entertainment venues, including saunas, to inform higher-risk groups about preventive measures. Since late September, the Centre has added a new vaccination site at its headquarters and worked with three non-governmental organisations to provide outreach vaccination services. Together with existing sites, these efforts resulted in about 360 people from higher-risk groups being vaccinated over two weeks.
Vaccination appointments and health support services
The Centre scheduled an outreach vaccination session at the AIDS Concern Centre in Mong Kok on 14 October, from 5pm to 8pm. An additional session was also arranged at the Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre on 24 October, from 10am to 1pm. Advance booking is required for the second session because places are limited.
The Centre’s hotline, on 2125 2373, provides assessments, health advice and vaccination arrangements daily from 9am to 6pm. Vaccines remain available without an appointment to eligible groups at the Department of Health’s social hygiene clinics and at several treatment centres and specialist medical clinics.
Those eligible for vaccination include people who engage in high-risk sexual behaviour, those with multiple partners, sex workers and people diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection during the past 12 months. The authorities said the vaccine helped prevent infection and severe illness.
Guidance on reducing mpox transmission
The Centre said mpox was not usually transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols, nor through ordinary social contact. It urged people at higher risk to avoid close physical contact with anyone or any animal suspected of being infected, reduce the number of partners, use condoms and avoid activities that could involve contact with rashes or bodily fluids.
The authorities urged anyone experiencing symptoms including a rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, muscle aches or severe headache to seek medical care as soon as possible and refrain from contact that could expose others to rashes or bodily fluids.
