Monkeypox outbreak unlikely, say experts

It is most unlikely that we will see an outbreak of monkeypox, experts have said to ease public fears after the city reported its first case when a Hong Kong resident arrived from the Philippines.

Infectious disease specialist Wilson Lam Wai-shun said monkeypox outbreaks overseas have come under control and the risk of large-scale outbreaks in Hong Kong is low even if authorities relax quarantine measures for overseas arrivals.

Speaking on radio yesterday, Lam, vice president of the Hong Kong Society for Infectious Diseases, said monkeypox is transmitted through direct contact, including high-risk man-to-man sex.

But he said family members of patients could still be infected after long-term exposure.

Lam said monkeypox has a long incubation period. Patients may first show infection symptoms in areas including the throat and mouth after which the infection will develop to the whole body within one to two weeks.

He added that vaccination for close contacts could help reduce the spread of the virus.

A University of Hong Kong infectious disease expert, Ho Pak-leung, said monkeypox is not highly contagious and most patients are those engaging in high-risk activities.

Imported cases have little risk to the community, he added.

"Those sharing personal items with monkeypox patients, including underwear and face towels, are subject to the risk of infection," he said. "But people sharing public facilities with patients in the same room and flight are unlikely to catch the virus, based on overseas experience."

Ho said Hong Kong is at the moment using Cidofovic antiviral medication for treating monkeypox, but it is not an effective treatment.

A more effective monkeypox drug is expected to arrive at the end of the month, he said.

Ho reminded doctors to collect samples from patients with rashes and swollen lymph nodes and send those samples to the Department of Health for testing.

Family doctor Edmund Lam Wing-wo said it is difficult to detect monkeypox.

"The current monkeypox outbreak overseas is unique because many patients only have atypical symptoms as they did not have a fever and only developed rashes on the genitals and other specific areas," he said.

Lam said travelers returning to Hong Kong within a month should seek medical help if they develop red rashes. He said there could be more imported monkeypox cases due to the increasing number of overseas arrivals, but said people do not have to worry about it as authorities are prepared for possible outbreaks.

The Hospital Authority said the 30-year-old man who arrived from the Philippines on Monday had a travel history in the United States and Canada. He is in stable condition at Queen Mary Hospital.

Doctors and experts said he does not need to take specific medication against monkeypox.

Health authorities said he was probably infected in the United States.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com