China - Mpox 2025

[tetano]

HONG KONG, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Chinese health authorities said on Thursday they had detected the new mutated mpox strain clade Ib as the viral infection spreads to more countries after the World Health Organization declared a global public health emergency last year.

China's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said it had found a cluster outbreak of the Ib subclade that started with the infection a foreigner who has a history of travel and residence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.



Four further cases have been found in people infected after close contact with the foreigner. The patients' symptoms are mild and include skin rash and blisters.

Mpox spreads through close contact and causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body. Although usually mild, it can be fatal in rare cases.

WHO last August declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that spread to neighbouring countries.
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https://www.reuters.com/business/he...discovers-cluster-new-mpox-strain-2025-01-09/

 

[Michael Coston]

(translated) Statement from China CDC

https://www.chinacdc.cn/jkkp/crb/ycr/202501/t20250109_303769.html

A cluster outbreak of monkeypox virus subclade Ib was discovered in my country

Date: 2025-01-09
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Recently, a cluster outbreak of monkeypox virus subclade Ib was discovered in my country. The source of infection was a foreigner with a history of living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.​

After the outbreak was discovered, the state and provinces (cities) such as Zhejiang, Guangdong, Beijing, and Tianjin quickly launched a joint prevention and control mechanism to carry out epidemiological investigation and tracing, risk investigation, case diagnosis and treatment, and other work.​

Four related cases were found among close contacts, all of which were infected after close contact. The related cases mainly showed symptoms such as rash and herpes, and the symptoms were relatively mild. At present, no infected persons have been found among general contacts. The related infected persons and risk persons are receiving medical treatment and health observation, and the epidemic has been effectively handled.

Related link: Questions and answers on prevention and control of monkeypox virus subclade Ib​

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[Pathfinder]

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Countries reporting new importations of clade Ib MPXV
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• China: On 1 August 2025, China notified WHO of one case of mpox due to clade Ib MPXV in an adult male traveler who arrived in the country in mid-July 2025 and reported experiencing symptom onset prior to entry. Health authorities in the country carried out case investigations and implemented case isolation and other response measures.
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https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/defa...eport--57.pdf?sfvrsn=420b121c_4&download=true

 

[Commonground]

Ends/Thursday, July 9, 2026​
CHP investigates confirmed Mpox case​

​The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (July 9) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, and strongly urged high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccinations. Meanwhile, the public is advised to be vigilant and avoid close physical contact with individuals suspected of contracting Mpox.

The case involves a 41-year-old male. He developed a fever and a rash over his genital area on July 2, followed by swelling of lymph nodes in his groin area on July 7. He sought medical treatment at the DH's Male Social Hygiene Clinic (SocHS) and was subsequently admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital for isolation treatment. He is currently in stable condition.

According to information provided by the patient, he had not received Mpox vaccination before the onset of symptoms. During the incubation period, he travelled to Taiwan alone and had high-risk exposure during his stay there. It cannot be ruled out that he was infected as a result. No epidemiological linkages between this case and confirmed Mpox cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier could be identified so far. The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigation of the case and will report the case to the World Health Organization and the health authority in Taiwan.

Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 93 Mpox cases (74 local cases and 19 imported cases), including the above-mentioned case. All patients were males. Epidemiological investigations revealed that most cases had high-risk sexual behaviour, including having sex with strangers or having sex without wearing condoms.

The Mpox vaccine can prevent infection and severe disease. The DH provides Mpox vaccination services for high‑risk groups. The following high-risk target groups are eligible for Mpox vaccinations on a voluntary basis:

1. individuals with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;
2. healthcare workers responsible for caring for patients with confirmed Mpox;
3. laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and
4. animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of Mpox occurrences in animals in Hong Kong.

High-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at any of the DH's Social Hygiene Service Clinics (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS) and the DH's Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre, without prior appointments.
　　
Meanwhile, the DH's Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.
　
Mpox is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols in general, and transmission would not occur through social contact. The CHP reminds the public, especially those at higher risks of exposure, to take precautions and avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of being infected. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they experience relevant symptoms, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches. They should not engage in activities with others that may involve contact with skin rash or body fluids.

For more details, please visit the CHP's page on Mpox and Mpox Vaccination Programme.​

https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202607/09/P2026070900736.htm