2nd September 2026 – (Hong Kong) The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health is investigating two confirmed Mpox cases and has renewed its call for high‑risk groups to receive vaccination, while advising the wider public to remain vigilant and avoid close physical contact with anyone suspected of infection. Both patients have tested positive at the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch and have been placed in isolation for treatment in stable condition. No epidemiological link has been identified between the pair or with earlier confirmed cases in Hong Kong.
The first patient, a 38‑year‑old man, developed genital ulcers on 19th August and sought care at a Department of Health Social Hygiene Service clinic on 31st August. He reported sexual contact with his male partner in Hong Kong during the incubation period. The second, a 34‑year‑old man, presented with fever on 27th August and a sore throat on 29th August, attended the Accident and Emergency Department at Caritas Medical Centre and was admitted the same day; rashes on the face, neck, trunk, limbs, buttock and genital area emerged on 1st September. He disclosed high‑risk exposure involving three male strangers in Hong Kong during the incubation period.
Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded 99 Mpox cases, comprising 79 local and 20 imported, all involving male patients. Investigations indicate most had high‑risk sexual behaviours, such as sex with strangers or sex without condoms. The authorities will continue epidemiological enquiries, trace high‑risk contacts and report the cases to the World Health Organisation.
Vaccination remains available on a voluntary basis for eligible high‑risk groups, including people with high‑risk sexual practices (for example, those with multiple partners, sex workers, or individuals with a sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months), healthcare workers caring for confirmed Mpox patients, laboratory personnel handling zoonotic pox viruses, and animal care personnel at risk should Mpox occur in animals locally. Walk‑in vaccination is offered at all Department of Health Social Hygiene Service clinics — Chai Wan, Wan Chai Male, Wan Chai Female, Yau Ma Tei Male, Yau Ma Tei Female, Yung Fung Shee, Fanling and Tuen Mun — as well as the Department of Health’s Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre. Additional services are available for clients of the Department of Health’s Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and the Hospital Authority’s Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital.
The Centre for Health Protection reiterates that Mpox is typically spread through close physical contact, including direct contact with rashes and body fluids; it is not generally transmitted via respiratory droplets or aerosols in everyday settings, and casual social contact does not usually result in infection. Members of the public, particularly those at higher risk of exposure, should seek prompt medical advice if they develop symptoms such as rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain or severe headaches, and should refrain from activities that may involve contact with skin rashes or body fluids.