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Connor Mycroft

Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has said it is looking into an imported case of measles involving a 38-year-old man who returned to the city from Vietnam.
News of the case emerged amid a resurgence of the extremely contagious disease in some countries.
Dr Edwin Tsui Lok-kin, controller of the centre, said on Saturday the overall immunisation coverage rate in Hong Kong remained high, but the city still faced the risk of imported measles cases and further transmission within the community.
The Post breaks down whether Hongkongers should be worried about catching the disease while travelling and what they can do to protect themselves.
1. What is measles and is it dangerous?
Measles is one of the most highly communicable infectious diseases and can be fatal, according to the CHP.
The virus is spread by airborne droplets or direct contact with the nasal or throat secretions of an infected person.
Those infected will typically develop a fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and white spots inside the mouth initially, followed three to seven days later by a red blotchy skin rash that spreads from the face to the rest of the body.
The rash usually lasts for about four to seven days, but can persist for as long as three weeks.
The CHP said the disease could affect the lungs, gut and brain in severe cases, leading to serious consequences or even death.
2. What is causing outbreaks abroad?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 10.3 million cases of measles were reported in 2023 – a 20 per cent increase compared with 2022 – and 107,500 deaths. Cases increased 30-fold in the WHO’s Europe region.
The organisation has attributed the surge to inadequate immunisation coverage globally and a backsliding in vaccination rates in certain regions.
Last week, an unvaccinated child in the American state of Texas died after catching the measles virus amid an outbreak that has infected at least 146 people, according to local health authorities. It was the first death in the country from the virus in a decade.
The CHP has also warned of recent outbreaks in countries close to Hong Kong such as Vietnam and the Philippines.
Vietnam reported around 45,000 suspected measles cases and 16 deaths last year, according to local media.
The Philippines logged a five-fold increase in cases between January and April last year compared with the same period in 2023, according to the country’s Department of Health.
Pakistan, Thailand, India, Yemen and Ethiopia were the top five countries with the highest number of reported cases globally in the six months before February, according to the WHO’s latest update.

3. Should you be worried about infections while travelling?
Ivan Hung Fan-ngai, chair professor of infectious diseases at the University of Hong Kong, said it was “not surprising” to see the occasional case of measles in the city.
He said such cases were likely to be due to missed childhood vaccinations.
Those travelling should not be worried if they had already been vaccinated, he said.
The two-dose vaccine has a 99 per cent effectiveness, making those inoculated “very unlikely” to get infected.
But Hung said breakthrough infections could happen in “severely immunocompromised” individuals and HIV patients with a low CD4 count – an indicator of immune function for those living with the virus.
Dr Ada Lin Wai-chi, the former president of the Hong Kong Society for Infectious Diseases, noted that measles cases had remained in the single digits locally over the past few years despite the rise in cases elsewhere.
“Because it’s so highly infectious, the government is very prudent when there is a case,” she said.
4. What can you do?
Both Hung and Lin said vaccination was the most effective way to prevent measles and people should ensure they had received both doses before they travelled.
Lin said those who had not been vaccinated against measles would have a 90 per cent chance of catching it if they were exposed to the virus.
She added that people born between 1978 and 1996 should check their vaccine history as they might have only received one dose, as was common at the time.
Those born before 1967 should have natural immunity due to how widespread the virus was then, she said.
The CHP recommends that those who have not completed their measles vaccination, or who are unsure of their vaccine history and immunity, should consult a doctor.
Travellers can also protect themselves by observing good personal hygiene, according to the Department of Health. Its Travel Health Service advises people to keep their hands clean and wash their hands properly, especially after coughing or sneezing.
Anyone infected with the virus should stay home and avoid contact with non-immunised people, as well as those with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and infants.
5. What is the immunisation rate in Hong Kong?
The two-dose vaccination against measles is available to all children through the city’s Childhood Immunisation Programme.
It is recommended that all children receive their first dose of the vaccine when they reach a year old, with a second dose six months later.
The Department of Health said that the two-dose measles vaccine had a 95 per cent coverage rate and local levels of measles virus antibodies showed that most people were immune to the virus.


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Should Hong Kong travellers be worried about measles amid resurgence abroad?

The WHO has attributed the surge in global measles cases to inadequate immunisation coverage and the backsliding in vaccination rates in certain regions. Photo: EPA-EFE

A health worker administers a measles test to a car passenger at a mobile testing site in Texas. Photo: AP

Hong Kong health authorities investigating imported case of measles

The infected patient had stayed at the Hong Kong Sports Institute and dined at its restaurant between February 22 and 25. Photo: Edmond So

The 38-year-old male patient sought medical treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei, where his measles infection was confirmed. Photo: May Tse

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The man was injured by wild monkeys in Kam Shan Country Park in late February last year. Photo: Dickson Lee

Monkeys in Kam Shan Country Park. A lawmaker noted monkeys can wander into urban areas. Photo: Dickson Lee

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The Hospital Authority, which runs the city’s public hospitals, including Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam, organises its facilities into seven geographical “clusters”. Photo: Winson Wong

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News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

Recent imported case sparks fears of outbreak, as the Post looks at how to stay safe locally and when travelling


Recent imported case sparks fears of outbreak, as the Post looks at how to stay safe locally and when travelling.


World Health Organization (WHO)

Disease

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Provide background, definition and detail of a specific topic, helping the reader understand how something works or what has happened in the past.  (Eg. What is Nafta? US and Mexico are on the verge of revising trade deal.)


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Explainer | Should Hong Kong travellers be worried about measles amid resurgence abroad?

Recent imported case sparks fears of outbreak, as the Post looks at how to stay safe locally and when travelling

1. What is measles and is it dangerous?