Hong Kong health authorities have identified at least five Mpox cases linked to a “premier” gay-friendly sauna and fitness club in Mong Kok, with the venue temporarily closed amid ongoing epidemiological investigations.
The Centre for Health Protection said the five cases, including two previously reported by mainland Chinese authorities, all engaged in “high-risk activities with strangers”, without elaborating further, at the Hu-Tong club on Shanghai Street.
The venue has been closed since May 26 as officials trace potential contacts.
The latest patient, a 58-year-old man, visited the premises on May 23 and developed a rash on his lower body on June 3.
He tested positive for the Mpox virus after seeking treatment at the Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre and is now in a stable condition at Princess Margaret Hospital.
A website for the local gay community describes the club as one of “Hong Kong’s premier gay saunas offering a discreet and welcoming environment for the LGBTQ+ community”.
It added that the “relatively hidden venue” required guests to ring a doorbell for entry, to ensure privacy and security.
The club is also described as “highly regarded for its exceptional cleanliness standards”. It reportedly operated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Health officials have contacted more than 300 people who visited the venue on or after May 1, offering health assessments and medical surveillance.
Health authorities have urged anyone who visited during this period to call their dedicated hotline for advice.
The Centre for Health Protection has partnered with the Hong Kong Aids Foundation to launch an Mpox vaccination outreach programme at the organisation’s Mong Kok service centre, running until June 17.
Eligible high-risk groups, particularly men who have sex with men, can make an appointment via the organisation’s website.
Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded 90 Mpox cases – 73 local and 17 imported – all involving male patients.
Health officials said most cases involved high-risk sexual behaviour, including unprotected sex with strangers.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is not generally transmitted through respiratory droplets or casual social contact, but the public should avoid close physical contact with suspected cases and seek medical attention if symptoms such as a rash, fever or swollen lymph nodes develop.
The Department of Health provides voluntary Mpox vaccination for high-risk groups to prevent infection and severe disease. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
