Health Authorities Recommend Temporary Closure of Mong Kok Gay Sauna After New Monkeypox Case
HK01 · 7 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Centre for Health Protection reported on October 13 that a 39-year-old man has been confirmed positive for monkeypox after multiple visits to a gay sauna called Wong Tong on Shanghai Street in Mong Kok. The patient reported having high-risk sexual encounters with multiple strangers at the venue during his incubation period. Health authorities have recommended the venue temporarily close and are investigating potential transmission links. The case highlights ongoing monkeypox transmission within Hong Kong's gay community, with 70% of this year's 31 cases occurring since August.
Key Points
- The patient developed rashes on his right foot, face, back, and buttocks starting October 5, subsequently visited a private clinic on October 8 and was referred to Renji Hospital on October 9 for isolation treatment
- Health authorities conducted joint on-site investigations with police at the venue, providing health education to staff; no employees have shown symptoms so far
- The centre urges anyone who visited Wong Tong since September 14 to call hotline 2125 2373 for health assessment, particularly those who had sexual contact with strangers
- Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded 115 monkeypox cases (91 local, 24 imported), all male; this year's total stands at 31 cases
- Genetic analysis reveals identical sequences among some cases, suggesting a common infection source and multiple transmission chains within the gay community
Why It Matters
The cluster linked to Wong Tong highlights ongoing monkeypox transmission within Hong Kong's gay community, with 70% of this year's 31 cases occurring since August. Most patients had not received vaccination, underscoring gaps in preventive coverage. The temporary closure reflects a precautionary approach, but signals that health authorities are particularly concerned about venue-based transmission in close-contact settings, raising public health questions about venue regulation and vaccination promotion among high-risk populations .
The cluster linked to Wong Tong highlights ongoing monkeypox transmission within Hong Kong's gay community, with 70% of this year's 31 cases occurring since August. Most patients had not received vaccination, underscoring gaps in preventive coverage. The temporary closure reflects a precautionary approach, but signals that health authorities are particularly concerned about venue-based transmission in close-contact settings, raising public health questions about venue regulation and vaccination promotion among high-risk populations .