Police today (October 13) laid a holding charge against a 52-year-old foreign woman with one count of murder.

     The woman was arrested yesterday (October 12) in suspected connection with a murder case happened in Ngau Tau Kok on October 11, in which a 93-year-old woman died.

     The case will be mentioned at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (October 14) morning.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (October 13) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case. Due to the recent significant increase in Mpox cases in Hong Kong, the CHP is implementing targeted prevention and control measures through a multi-pronged approach in order to break the transmission chains. Owing to these measures, the number of vaccines administered under the Mpox vaccination programme has risen significantly, with the number of doses administered earlier this month surging by more than 70 per cent compared to the same period last month. The CHP urges individuals who have engaged in high-risk sexual contact, particularly with strangers, to remain vigilant and take appropriate personal protective measures, including receiving the Mpox vaccination and avoiding high-risk sexual contact, so as to lower the risk of infection. The CHP also strongly urges the public to retain their sexual partners' contact information to facilitate contact tracing when necessary.
 
Case details
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     The new case involves a 39-year-old man who developed rash over his right foot, face, back and buttock since October 5. He sought medical consultation at a private clinic on October 8, and was referred to Yan Chai Hospital on the following day for isolation treatment. Upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB), his clinical specimen tested positive for the Monkeypox virus. The patient is currently in stable condition. He was transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) to continue isolation treatment.

     According to the information provided by the patient, during the incubation period, he visited a premises called "Hutong" on Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, on multiple occasions and had multiple high-risk sexual contacts with male strangers there. The CHP has conducted joint on‑site investigation at the premises with the Police. Furthermore, the CHP has provided health education to the staff of the premises. To date, all staff members remain asymptomatic. As the CHP cannot rule out the transmission risk at the premises, as a prudent measure it is recommended that "Hutong" be temporarily closed with immediate effect from today.

     The CHP appeals to the members of the public who have visited "Hutong" since September 14, especially those who have had sexual contact with strangers there, to call the Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373) as soon as possible, to facilitate the CHP to provide health assessments and advice. The CHP will arrange persons with relevant symptoms to undergo testing. 

     The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations of the case, and will report the case to the World Health Organization.

Latest situation of Mpox cases
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     Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded 115 Mpox cases (91 local cases and 24 imported cases). All patients are males. As of today, 31 cases have been recorded this year, including 24 local cases and seven imported cases. Since August, there have been 22 new cases, accounting for 70 per cent of the total number of cases this year.

     Epidemiological investigations showed that all the 22 cases recorded since August reported having engaged in high-risk sexual activities during the incubation period, including having sex with male strangers or multiple partners, and having sex without a condom. Most of them have not received the Mpox vaccinations.

     The CHP's PHLSB conducted genetic analysis of the virus and found that some cases had identical genetic sequences. This suggests that the cases may have shared a common source of infection, with multiple transmission chains existing among men who have sex with men population.
 
New Mpox vaccination venues
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     Mpox vaccine can prevent infection and severe disease. Since late September, in addition to regular vaccination venues, the CHP has set up an additional Mpox vaccination centre at the CHP Building, and has collaborated with three NGOs (namely Community Health Organisation for Intervention, Care and Empowerment; Hong Kong AIDS Foundation; and Hong Kong Christian Service) to provide outreach vaccination services. Together with the various existing vaccination venues, the CHP has successfully administered the Mpox vaccine to approximately 380 high-risk individuals over the past two weeks.

     To further reduce the risk of community infection and transmission, the CHP will continue to actively increase the locations and time slots for Mpox vaccination. Following the completion of three outreach vaccination sessions recently, the CHP has arranged the following services:

(i) Hong Kong AIDS Foundation – Mong Kok Service Centre
Date and time: October 14 (Wednesday), 5pm to 8pm
Location: Bright Way Tower, 33 Mong Kok Road, Mong Kok, Kowloon
(Online appointments: forms.gle/ytDgGsn9V2R8wL4VA)

(ii) Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre (additional session)
Date and time: October 24 (Saturday), 10am to 1pm
Location: 7/F, Yau Ma Tei Jockey Club Polyclinic, 145 Battery Street, Yau Ma Tei
(Phone reservations: Please call Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre at 2195 6588 from 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, to make an appointment.)
 
Strengthening public education and awareness
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     The CHP's Mpox hotline (2125 2373) provides health assessments, advice and vaccination arrangements for affected individuals. The hotline operates daily from 9am to 6pm.

     The CHP has consistently conducted comprehensive and in-depth epidemiological investigations into every Mpox case, striving to contact individuals who have had high-risk contact with the patients. The CHP's epidemiological investigations showed that patients commonly used specific dating apps to find casual sexual partners. After testing positive, some patients were unable to contact their newly met sexual partners, which hindered the CHP's ability to conduct effective contact tracing and implement corresponding prevention and control measures. In view of this, the CHP has increased its outreach on social media platforms to promote Mpox prevention and vaccination, and has collaborated with the operators of relevant dating apps to regularly push information about Mpox prevention and vaccination to all users in Hong Kong.

     The CHP staff visited various entertainment venues, including saunas, to promote health and remind individuals at high risk of exposure that vaccination protects against infection and reduces the likelihood of transmitting it to others. Due to the current surge in Mpox cases, individuals should limit the number of sexual partners and use condoms in addition to getting vaccinated to further reduce the risk of infection.
 
More information on Mpox
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     Mpox is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols in general, and transmission would not occur through social contact. The CHP reminds the public, especially those at higher risk of exposure, to take precautions and avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of being infected. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they experience relevant symptoms, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches. They should not engage in activities with others that may involve contact with skin rash or body fluids.
 
     The DH has been providing Mpox vaccination services for high-risk groups, including individuals with high-risk sexual practices (such as having multiple sexual partners), sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months. Apart from the aforementioned newly added Mpox vaccination locations, high-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at any of the DH's social hygiene service clinics (SocHS) (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS) and the DH's Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre, without prior appointments. Meanwhile, the DH's Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and PMH also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.

     For more details, please visit the CHP's webpages on Mpox and the Mpox Vaccination Programme.

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the closing reception of the Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo (HKPAX) 2026 today (October 13):

Kenneth (Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Mr Kenneth Fok), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good evening. This is actually a very hard job for me, coming after Kenneth's such a passionate and genuinely heartfelt speech. I have to give you the official remarks of course, but I think everybody is touched by the commitment and devotion of Kenneth and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council under his leadership. And from the bright atmosphere here, I can tell that a lot of actions have been made, a lot of exchanges have been strengthened within the past five days, and that is what we love to experience and know. It is my great pleasure to join you all at the closing reception of HKPAX 2026.

     This year's theme is "Passion in Motion", and Hong Kong has come alive with creativity, dialogue and exploration. Over the past few days – from the opening prologue to this afternoon's final showcase – the Expo has presented a rich array of performances and programmes spanning the full spectrum of performing arts. More importantly, it has served as a dynamic platform for local and international participants to engage in inspiring dialogue like what we are doing right now, exchange innovative ideas and explore new collaborations. I am truly delighted that HKPAX has kindled a deeper passion for performing arts among all who have taken part.

     International exchange and collaboration are essential to a world-class arts and cultural sector. The Expo is Hong Kong's flagship platform for cross-cultural and artistic exchange, and it has facilitated meaningful encounters that will invigorate our performing arts landscape. The connections forged this week – from showcases to pitching sessions – will continue to bear fruit long after the Expo curtain falls.

     Beyond its long-term goals, the Expo's immediate impact is already evident in the numbers that the Chairman has just mentioned. We welcomed more than 2 000 arts leaders and professionals from 60 countries and regions, along with over 39 000 audience members and participants. For an expo that is only two years old, this level of participation speaks volumes about its rising international standing.

     The vitality of Hong Kong's performing arts sector is powered by a diverse network of professional-grade venues. From the iconic Hong Kong Cultural Centre to the newly commissioned East Kowloon Cultural Centre, venues across the city have played host to an extraordinary array of performances and showcases this week. And we have something new to welcome. Next year, the WestK Performing Arts Centre will set to open, and Hong Kong's arts infrastructure will be better placed than ever to support ambitious and groundbreaking productions. We look forward to the next episode of HKPAX in 2028. 

     Culture thrives on enduring commitment and the Hong Kong SAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government remains committed to investing in talent development, fostering creative experimentation and supporting the industry in reaching beyond Hong Kong. Leveraging the distinctive advantages of strong support from our country and close connections with the world, Hong Kong has once again demonstrated, through HKPAX, that it is a premier hub for international cultural exchange. Looking ahead, we will continue to support HKPAX as a platform for showcasing projects and building partnerships.

     My heartfelt gratitude goes to Kenneth, and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council under his capable leadership for the meticulous organisation and tireless dedication in staging this episode of HKPAX. Special thanks also go to the participating artists, performing groups and other delegates, as well as all our sponsors, partners and volunteers. It is you guys' collective effort that make HKPAX such a resounding success. I wish you all the very best in your future endeavours, and as Kenneth has said, for those of you who are set to go to Shanghai, to the Greater Bay Area, a very good and safe trip and rewarding exchanges. I look forward to seeing you all in 2028. Thank you.