Measles outbreak at Hong Kong International Airport declared over after almost two months but other cases still springing up
- Of 73 cases recorded in the city so far this year, 29 were related to the airport outbreak
- Authorities have been providing measles vaccination to airport workers
A measles outbreak at Hong Kong International Airport has come to an end, according to local health authorities.
The Centre for Health Protection made the announcement on Friday almost two months after the airport outbreak was first reported on March 22.
In the 73 cases recorded in the city so far this year, 29 were related to the airport outbreak.
The centre said the date any of these patients had last visited the airport during the communicable period was April 5. In general, the incubation period for the disease, meaning the time between a patient getting infected and showing the first symptoms, could take up to 21 days.
“No new associated cases have been recorded in two incubation periods which ended [on Friday],” a spokesman for the centre said. “We consider the outbreak of measles infection at the airport has ended.”
Measles is a generally mild but highly infectious disease. While the viral disease could be transmitted to others through coughing or sneezing, it could be prevented through vaccine.
The authorities have been providing measles vaccination to airport workers to prevent further spread of the disease. Since March 22, the centre has vaccinated 8,501 workers. The airport vaccination station will stop operating on Saturday.
How is Hong Kong responding to growing measles outbreak in Asia
In a blood test service arranged by the centre to see whether airport staff were immune to the virus, 777 samples were collected.
A similar scheme has also been offered to Filipino domestic helpers in the city. So far, 146 blood samples have been collected.
This year has seen the highest number of measles cases in a decade. Last year, there were 15 cases.
