29-Year-Old Man Diagnosed with Monkeypox in Hong Kong, Cases Rise Sharply
HK01 · 4 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection confirmed a new monkeypox case on October 10, 2026, involving a 29-year-old male patient currently in stable condition at Princess Margaret Hospital. The man developed symptoms including papules on his buttocks on September 28, followed by rashes on his limbs and buttocks, accompanied by fever and swollen lymph nodes. He was identified during a vaccination outreach service and tested positive for the virus. Authorities are investigating his sexual contacts and will report the case to the World Health Organization .
Key Points
- The 29-year-old male patient developed buttocks papules on September 28, with rashes subsequently spreading to his limbs
- He attended a joint vaccination outreach service by the Centre for Health Protection and Hong Kong Christian Service on October 8
- The patient is now isolated at Princess Margaret Hospital after testing positive for monkeypox
- His clinical sample confirmed a positive reaction to the monkeypox virus at the public health laboratory
- Epidemiological investigation reveals high-risk sexual contact with another man during the incubation period
- Hong Kong has recorded 114 cumulative monkeypox cases since 2022, all male patients (90 local, 24 imported)
- This year alone has seen 30 cases, with 21 new infections since August representing 70% of the annual total
- Over half of recent patients found sexual partners through dating applications, hindering contact tracing efforts
- The monkeypox vaccination programme saw a surge exceeding 70% in early October compared to the previous month
- Most infected patients had high-risk sexual behaviour, including unprotected sex with strangers or multiple partners
Why It Matters
The sharp increase in monkeypox cases, with 70% occurring in just the past two months, highlights the urgency for targeted public health interventions. The health authority's difficulty in contact tracing—due to patients meeting strangers through dating apps—underscores the need for vaccination uptake and partner notification measures to prevent further transmission .
The sharp increase in monkeypox cases, with 70% occurring in just the past two months, highlights the urgency for targeted public health interventions. The health authority's difficulty in contact tracing—due to patients meeting strangers through dating apps—underscores the need for vaccination uptake and partner notification measures to prevent further transmission .