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Matthew Cheng

Hong Kong has recorded an uptick in Mpox cases after an outbreak linked to a gay-friendly sauna and fitness club in Mong Kok, prompting health authorities to launch a targeted vaccination outreach programme for high-risk groups.
The Centre for Health Protection has contacted more than 300 people who visited the venue since May for medical surveillance and urged anyone who visited during that period to call its dedicated hotline for advice.
The centre is conducting an epidemiological investigation into the outbreak.
The South China Morning Post shares what you need to know about Mpox and the latest outbreak in Hong Kong.
1. What is Mpox?
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a zoonosis caused by the monkeypox virus. It was first detected in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, following its discovery in monkeys in 1958.
The virus gained international prominence in 2022 when it triggered an outbreak spanning multiple countries.
2. What is the current Mpox situation in the city?
Since late May, Hong Kong has identified at least five Mpox cases, all involving individuals engaged in “high-risk activities with strangers” at the Hu-Tong club in Mong Kok. The gay-friendly sauna has been closed since May 26 for investigation and contact tracing.
The club has been described as one of the city’s “premier” gay saunas, offering a private and secure environment for members of the LGBTQ community.
While Hong Kong has not seen a large-scale Mpox outbreak since it was made a notifiable infectious disease in 2022, the city has recorded a total of 90 cases – 73 local and 17 imported – all involving male patients.
The Centre for Health Protection said most cases involved high-risk sexual behaviour, including sex with strangers or sex without wearing condoms.

3. What are the symptoms of Mpox?
The incubation period of Mpox ranges from one to 21 days, with six to 13 days being the most common. Early symptoms often include fever, intense headache, sore throat, myalgia and lymphadenopathy.
Rashes typically appear on the patients’ faces, hands and feet, and can also start on the genitals, anus or mouth. Some patients experience painful proctitis and urination.
Most people recover within two to four weeks, while the fatality rate stands at between 1 and 10 per cent. The Department of Health urges anyone experiencing relevant symptoms to seek medical attention promptly.
4. How to prevent infection?
While Mpox is not generally transmitted through respiratory droplets or casual social contact, it can spread from person to person through sexual or close physical contact, and contact with infected animals or contaminated materials.
High-risk groups include individuals with multiple sexual partners and sex workers, healthcare staff caring for Mpox patients, and laboratory or animal care personnel with risk of exposure.
The Department of Health encourages high-risk individuals to get Mpox vaccinations and to avoid close physical contact with people or animals suspected of being infected, including those with a rash that resembles Mpox.
5. What is the global Mpox situation?
According to the World Health Organization’s multi-country external situation report on Mpox, a total of 59,709 cases were reported across 103 countries from January 2025 to April 2026, with 241 deaths, representing a fatality ratio of 0.4 per cent.
Africa accounted for 62 per cent of confirmed cases in April, while Southeast Asia saw a notable 850 per cent surge in cases that month from March.
In September 2025, the WHO declared that the Mpox surge no longer constituted a public health emergency of international concern, following its declaration in August 2024.


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The Hu-Tong club in Mong Kok has been closed since May 26. Photo: Karma Lo

Five Mpox cases have been linked to individuals who visited the Hu-Tong club. Photo: Handout

Hu-Tong in Mong Kok. Photo: Handout

Hu-Tong has been closed since May 26. Photo: Handout

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News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

The SCMP sheds light on the situation in the city and globally, including how to prevent infection


The SCMP sheds light on the situation in the city and globally, including how to prevent infection.


Mpox in Hong Kong: what to know about the virus and sauna-linked outbreak

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The SCMP sheds light on the situation in the city and globally, including how to prevent infection

1. What is Mpox?

The SCMP sheds light on the situation in the city and globally, including how to prevent infection