Source:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...htm?fontSize=1
CHP investigates outbreak of measles infection
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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 22) investigating an outbreak of measles infection affecting workers at the Hong Kong International Airport and hence reminded the public again that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles.
As at 7pm today, three cases were identified. The first case involves a 22-year-old man with good past health, who developed fever on March 15 and rash on March 19. He attended a private clinic on March 17 and 19. He sought medical advice at Yan Chai Hospital on March 20 and was admitted for treatment. His nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) tested positive for measles virus upon laboratory testing. He is in a stable condition. The patient reported to have received measles vaccination.
The second case involves a 40-year-old man with good past health, who developed cough and fever on March 9 and rash on March 14. He consulted a private doctor on March 14. He attended Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) on March 16 and was admitted for treatment. His NPA tested positive for measles virus upon laboratory testing. He is in a stable condition. The patient has not received measles vaccination.
The third case involves a 46-year-old woman with good past health, who developed fever on March 13 and rash on March 19. She attended a private clinic on March 15. She sought medical advice at PMH on March 17 and was admitted for treatment. Her blood specimen tested positive for measles virus upon laboratory testing. She is in a stable condition. The patient has not received measles vaccination.
According to the patients, all of them did not have contact with measles patients during the incubation period. They had no travel history during the incubation period or the communicable period. Their home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far and have been put under medical surveillance.
The public places the three patients visited during the communicable period are listed in the appendix.
"Upon notification of the cases, officers of the CHP have initiated epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing immediately to identify other possible patients as soon as possible," a spokesman for the CHP said.
"A health talk was conducted at the airport tonight to deliver measles-related health advice to people working there. To prevent possible spread of infection, measles mop-up vaccination has been given tonight to close work contacts of the three patients," the spokesman added.
Starting tomorrow (March 23), a vaccination station will be set up at the airport to provide measles vaccination to other non-immune people working there if necessary. A hotline (2125 1122) will be set up for public enquiries and will operate from 9am to 5.45pm daily from tomorrow.
The spokesman said, "Those who might have had contact with the patients during the period of communicability are urged to observe if they have developed measles-related symptoms, and to seek medical treatment immediately if such symptoms appear. They should also report their symptoms and prior travel history to the healthcare workers so that appropriate infection control measures can be implemented at the healthcare facilities to prevent any potential spread."
The spokesman explained that measles is a highly infectious disease caused by the measles virus. It can be transmitted by airborne droplets spread or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons, and, less commonly, by articles soiled with nose and throat secretions. A patient can pass the disease to other persons from four days before to four days after the appearance of skin rash.
The spokesman reminded the public that the incubation period of measles ranges from seven days to up to 21 days. Contacts who are not immune to measles may develop relevant symptoms, such as fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes, in the incubation period. They should observe if they develop such symptoms in the period. If symptoms arise, they should wear surgical masks, stop going to work or school and avoid going to crowded places. They should also avoid contact with non-immune persons, especially persons with weakened immunity, pregnant women and children aged below 1.
In Hong Kong, children are given the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at 1 year old, followed by a second dose at Primary One under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme. The coverage of MMR vaccination in Hong Kong is over 95 per cent at Primary One.
"Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. Members of the public who are planning to travel to places with high incidence or outbreaks of measles should review their vaccination history and past medical history, especially people born outside Hong Kong who might not have received measles vaccination during childhood. The history of measles vaccination in Hong Kong is available in the CHP's
measles thematic page. Those who have not received two doses of measles-containing vaccines, with unknown vaccination history or with unknown immunity against measles are urged to consult their doctor for advice on vaccination at least two weeks before departure," the spokesman said...
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Source:
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-03/25/c_137922849.htm
Hong Kong enhances vaccination services at airport to prevent spread of measles infection
Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-25 22:10:05|Editor: zh
HONG KONG, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Over 400 people got vaccinated against measles Monday at vaccination stations set up at the Hong Kong International Airport to prevent the spread of measles infection, according to Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection (CHP).
From Jan. 1 to March 24, 2019, 20 measles cases have been registered in Hong Kong, a spokesperson of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government's Health Department told Xinhua on Monday.
This number is higher than the annual totals of the past few years.
Out of the 20 cases, at least nine have been categorized as imported cases and several recent cases concern people working at the Hong Kong International Airport...
