HK, Macau Discuss Ways To Battle Measles Cases

Hong Kong and Macau authorities held discussions on Friday on the rising measles cases in the two cities as authorities battled to contain the rising number of cases.

The number of confirmed cases in the former Portuguese enclave had risen to 26. Health authorities there said the latest victim may have got it after he visited a hospital earlier this month.

In Hong Kong, the official number remained at 31 as there were no new reports issued on Friday.

At the airport, authorities conducted blood tests at terminal 2 to find workers who are at high risk. Authorities said the aim of the test was to ensure the vaccines in stock are made available to those in real need of them.

Health Secretary Sophia Chan said on Thursday that there is a limited supply of doses due to surging demand for the vaccine across the world. "Therefore, it is very important for the government to ensure that there is a stable supply of vaccine for people who really need it," she had said.

The majority of people in Hong Kong may not need the vaccination, according to some experts. They say people born before the early 1960s and from 1985 onwards are likely to be immune to the measles virus.

But some workers who waited for tests at the airport said they were not sure if they had had a measles vaccination when they were young. Some said they did have the vaccination but because a sizeable number of the recent measles cases involved airport workers, they just wanted to take the immunity test for their own peace of mind.

More than 40 people had formed a queue long before the test counter opened at 10am.