China Customs: People in contact with monkeypox entering country should take initiative to declare

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Aug. 15 announced the upsurge of Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) officially declared the ongoing Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) on August 13. In recent weeks, there has been a sustained increase in the number of Mpox cases and outbreaks reported in countries in the WHO African Region. According to Africa CDC, at least 13 African countries reported Mpox outbreaks and have confirmed 2 863 cases and 517 deaths in 2024, primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In light of the emergence of a new sexually transmissible Mpox strain and its rapid spread in eastern DRC and several neighboring countries of the DRC, and the potential for further international spread within and outside Africa.

The General Administration of Customs today (Aug. 16) issued the announcement to prevent the introduction of the monkeypox epidemic into China.

• People from countries (regions) with monkeypox outbreaks who have been exposed to monkeypox cases or have symptoms such as fever, headache, backache, myalgia, swollen lymph nodes, rash and mucous membrane rash, etc., should take the initiative to report to the Customs when entry into the country, and the Customs officers will take medical measures in accordance with the stipulated procedures and start sampling and testing.
• Traffic and transport vehicles, containers, goods and articles from countries (regions) where monkeypox outbreaks have occurred and which are contaminated or have the possibility of being contaminated should be handled in accordance with the prescribed procedures.

The announcement is effective for 6 months from the date of publication. During this period, the new countries and regions with monkeypox outbreaks announced by the WHO will be implemented in accordance with this announcement.

As at August 14, a total of 67 Mpox cases (54 local and 13 imported) have been recorded in Hong Kong since 2022, among which 13 of them are recorded this year. All of the 67 cases were males. Epidemiological investigation showed that most cases involved men who have sex with men (MSM)/bisexual with history of high-risk sexual behaviors, including having sex with strangers or unsafe sex.

In view of the latest developments, the Department of Health (DH) has issued letter to doctors and hospitals in Hong Kong, urging them to be aware and report suspected cases for prompt epidemiological investigation and contact tracing. The DH will strengthen travel health advice to people visiting Africa and will enhance public education on the prevention of Mpox through various online and offline channels. Relevant stakeholders in the community including the ethnic minority groups will be informed as well.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the DH commenced the Mpox Vaccination Programme in October 2022, using a third-generation vaccine for contacts of confirmed cases as well as individuals at high risk of exposure on a voluntary basis. From the commencement of the programme to August 11 this year, over 16,700 doses of vaccines were administered.

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