The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) recorded five epidemiologically linked cases of measles infection in May and June 2015.

Photographed early in 2014 in the Philippines capital city of Manila, this baby was in a hospital with measles (rubeola)/Jim Goodson, M.P.H.
Photographed early in 2014 in the Philippines capital city of Manila, this baby was in a hospital with measles (rubeola)/Jim Goodson, M.P.H.

The first (index) case was a four-month-old boy living in Hong Kong. He presented with fever on May 8 and was admitted to a public hospital on the same day. He developed skin rash on May 12 and was transferred to isolation ward on May 13.The blood collected on May 12 was tested positive for measles IgM. His condition was stable all along and he was discharged on May 16.

A six-month-old baby who stayed in the same cubicle with the index case and a nurse who worked in the same ward before the index case was isolated were subsequently known to be affected. The baby boy developed fever, cough and rash on May 27 despite receiving a course of post-exposure prophylaxis on May 16. His condition was stable and he was discharged on May 29.

The nurse developed fever and rash on May 25 and May 27 respectively despite having received two doses of measles containing vaccine when young. Both the baby boy and nurse were confirmed by positive measles RT-PCR in nasopharyngeal swabs.

Upon extension of contact tracing, two more patients (the fourth and the fifth cases) who had contact history with the infected nurse were later reported to have measles infection on June 8. They were two baby girls, aged 11 months and one month respectively. So far all cases were in stable condition.

CHP and the hospital have put all close contacts of the cases under medical surveillance. Post-exposure prophylaxis was given to the contacts if indicated and relevant health information was provided to the parents/exposed persons. Infection control measures of the concerned ward were tightened. Investigation is ongoing.