10Life Financial Limited
Enquiries: enquiries@10life.com
Hotline: (852) 3705 1599
Address: 16/F Greatmany Centre, 109-115 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Talk to 10Life on WeChat
false
Trending
Trending
Table of Content
1. What is monkeypox?
2. How is monkeypox transmitted?
3. How long is the incubation period?
4. What are the symptoms?
5. How high is the mortality rate?
6. Can the monkeypox virus mutate?
7. Are vaccines available?
8. Should members of the public be concerned?
9. What are the preventive measures?
10. If I contract monkeypox, will the insurance policy provide coverage?
Category
Author
Search 
Category
Author
Search
【Monkeypox】Hong Kong records its first case. How is it transmitted? What are the symptoms?
1. What is monkeypox?
The World Health Organization recently classified the monkeypox outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), its highest level of alert. Hong Kong has also designated monkeypox as a statutory notifiable infectious disease, and the first imported case of monkeypox has recently been reported. So, what are the symptoms of monkeypox, and how is it treated? Today, 10Life answers 10 frequently asked questions about monkeypox.
Monkeypox was first identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970. Since then, most cases have occurred in tropical rainforest regions of the Congo Basin and West Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those previously observed in patients with smallpox, but the clinical severity is lower. Following the eradication of smallpox and the discontinuation of smallpox vaccination in 1980, monkeypox became the most serious orthopoxvirus.
Since mid-May 2022, the World Health Organization has received reports of monkeypox cases in different countries, particularly in Europe and North America. From the beginning of the year to 20 July, 72 countries and regions reported more than 14,500 suspected and confirmed cases, most of which involved men who have sex with men.
2. How is monkeypox transmitted?
Monkeypox is a viral infectious disease that can be contracted through contact with infected animals, people or objects. For example, infection may occur after eating inadequately cooked meat from infected animals or being bitten by an infected animal. The virus can also be transmitted through respiratory droplets or direct contact with bodily fluids, such as through sexual contact, resulting in person-to-person transmission.
3. How long is the incubation period?
The incubation period for monkeypox ranges from 5 to 21 days, but is generally 6 to 13 days.
4. What are the symptoms?
Monkeypox symptoms are similar to those of smallpox, but the illness is milder. Monkeypox symptoms last 14 to 21 days and can be divided into two stages:
| Invasion period |
|
| Rash period |
|
Severe cases are more common in children and are associated with the extent of exposure to the virus, the patient’s health status and the severity of complications.
5. How high is the mortality rate?
The mortality rate of monkeypox ranges from 1% to 10%. Since the beginning of this year, there have been at least 5 deaths in Africa.
6. Can the monkeypox virus mutate?
Rosamund Lewis, head of the smallpox section of the WHO’s Emergencies Programme, said that the monkeypox virus mutates less frequently, and there is currently no evidence of a viral variant.
7. Are vaccines available?
The WHO states that vaccination against smallpox (commonly known as “cowpox”) helps prevent infection with monkeypox, with an efficacy rate of 85%. However, following the global eradication of smallpox, smallpox vaccines are no longer available for general public use.
However, in 2019, a new vaccine called “Jynneos” was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention of monkeypox infection. In addition, Europe recently approved a new antiviral drug for treating monkeypox.
There are currently no vaccines or medicines for monkeypox in Hong Kong. However, the SAR Government stated that it is actively contacting manufacturers of smallpox vaccines that can be used to prevent monkeypox infection and discussing the early supply of the vaccines to Hong Kong.
8. Should members of the public be concerned?
People with monkeypox generally recover on their own. Furthermore, Professor David Hui, Director of the HKU Centre for Influenza Research and the Centre for Health Protection stated that this monkeypox cluster was primarily transmitted through sexual contact. He believes that the risk of monkeypox being imported into Hong Kong is low. In addition, as it is not highly contagious and Hong Kong has sufficient isolation facilities, members of the public need not be overly concerned.
9. What are the preventive measures?
Good personal and hand hygiene can help prevent the transmission of viruses through contact. In addition, if readers visit places affected by monkeypox virus, they should avoid contact with patients or animals; wear protective clothing and equipment, including gloves and surgical masks, when caring for patients or handling animals, and wash their hands after the procedure; thoroughly cook animal products before eating; and seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop any suspicious symptoms.
10. If I contract monkeypox, will the insurance policy provide coverage?
As medical insurance generally does not cover diseases transmitted through sexual contact, an insured person will generally not be covered if they become infected through sexual contact. However, if they become infected through other means and require hospitalisation, eligible expenses are generally covered by medical insurance. Please refer to the terms and conditions of the insurance product or consult a licensed insurance intermediary for details.
Note:
1. Reference sources: Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health and the World Health Organization website.
2. This article was last updated on 25 July 2022.
1. Reference sources: Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health and the World Health Organization website.
2. This article was last updated on 25 July 2022.
This English version of this article has been generated by machine translation powered by AI. It is provided solely for reference purposes. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this translation and the original Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.
10Life Editorial Team
Our team of professional content researchers focussing on insurance
10Life Editorial Team
Our team of professional content researchers focussing on insurance
Disclaimer
10Life Product Comparison and 10Life Insurance Ratings are developed by 10Life Financial Limited, an authorised insurance broker company licensed with the Insurance Authority under License Number FB1526. 10Life Product Comparison and 10Life Insurance Ratings are developed for generic customer segments using mathematical calculations based on product information, facts and data, and are not influenced by any partnerships with or fees received from insurance companies. Any information on 10Life Platform ("10Life Information"), including but not limited to Product Comparison, Product Ratings, Blog Articles are intended for general education purpose and reference only. None of the 10Life Information is intended, nor should they be considered or relied upon, as regulated advice, insurance, financial, investment or professional advice, recommendation, approval, endorsement, invitation or solicitation in respect of any insurance, financial or investment products. 10Life Information does not take into account your individual needs. Reading 10Life Information should not be considered as conducting a suitability assessment, and is not sufficient to form the basis of any decisions to purchase any insurance products. You should rely on information authorised by insurance companies, carry out your own research and/or seek independent advice from licensed intermediaries before purchasing any insurance products or making any insurance decisions. While reasonable effort is used when collecting, validating and updating 10Life Information from various channels, none of 10Life Group and its subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, directors, officers and employees will be responsible for any liability, claim or loss arising from or associated with you using 10Life Information. No warranty, representation or guarantee is given by 10Life Group and its subsidiaries on the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of the information. If you have any questions on 10Life Product Comparison and 10Life Insurance Ratings, please email us at enquiries@10life.com
