HK To Get Monkeypox Vaccine This Month: Govt

The government says it hopes to get hold of a vaccine against monkeypox this month as part of preparations for any future outbreak here.

The World Health Organisation declared a global health emergency over monkeypox in late July, although officials say no cases have been found so far in Hong Kong.

The government said on Friday that the Centre for Health Protection earlier stepped up surveillance for the virus among inbound travellers and the local community, and that its laboratories can provide free tests on specimens taken by private doctors.

"The government is finalising negotiations with a vaccine manufacturer for the first shipment of the vaccine to Hong Kong within this month," a spokesman added.

"Moreover, to prevent local transmission of monkeypox, we have arranged to reserve facilities for the quarantine of close contacts of confirmed monkeypox cases."

Officials also urged people to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms of monkeypox, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain and severe headaches.

Most cases of monkeypox are mild and clear up on their own within a few weeks, although around a dozen deaths have recently been reported worldwide.

The virus is caught through close contact with infected people or from virus-contaminated objects such as bedding, towels and clothing.