Monkeypox | Two men in mainland China visited a "hutong" in Mong Kok during the incubation period and later tested positive

The Centre for Health Protection stated that through the joint prevention and control mechanism, it received reports from mainland health authorities of two confirmed monkeypox cases with high-risk contact in Hong Kong. The Centre immediately followed up and conducted epidemiological investigations.

According to investigation data from mainland Chinese health authorities, the first case involves a 28-year-old man who developed a fever and groin swelling on May 8. During the incubation period, he visited a place called "Hutong" on Shanghai Street in Mong Kok before May 3, where he had high-risk contact. The second case involves a 30-year-old man who developed rashes on both lower limbs on May 15. During the incubation period, he visited the same place on May 1 and May 3, and had high-risk contact. Although the two individuals do not know each other, they both stayed at the location for several hours during the same period on May 3. Samples taken after their illness onset tested positive for monkeypox virus. Both are currently stable and receiving treatment in mainland China.

The Centre believes that both individuals may have been infected through high-risk contact with monkeypox-infected persons at the location. The Centre has conducted an on-site inspection of the premises and initiated contact tracing. The Centre attempted to obtain the customer list of the establishment on that day; however, the person in charge was unable to provide customer information. The Centre has provided health education to staff, and all staff members have shown no symptoms to date.