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The Department of Health (DH) is today (April 25) closely monitoring an additional case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by Jordan, and hence called on the public to stay alert and maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene during travel.
According to the WHO, the male patient aged 25 with underlying illnesses is from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). He became ill on April 9, was hospitalised in the KSA on April 10 and discharged against medical advice on April 15. He sought medical care from another hospital in Jordan on April 19 where he was laboratory confirmed.
The patient travelled to Abha, Mecca and Jeddah in the KSA from April 3 to 8 and he had contact with camels and consumed camel milk.
To date, 254 MERS cases have been reported to the WHO globally, including 93 deaths.
"The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the DH is seeking more information on the case from the WHO and relevant health authority. The CHP will remain vigilant and work closely with the WHO and overseas and neighbouring health authorities to monitor the latest developments," a spokesman for the DH said.
"As pre-existing major illnesses can increase the likelihood of medical problems, including MERS, during travel, in view of recent pilgrimage activities, pilgrims should consult a healthcare provider before travelling to assess whether it is medically advisable," the spokesman said.
Locally, the DH's surveillance mechanism with public and private hospitals, practising doctors and at the airport is well in place. Suspected cases identified will be sent to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens are tested negative for MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
"MERS is a statutorily notifiable infectious disease and the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch is capable of detecting the virus. No human cases have been recorded so far in Hong Kong," the spokesman stressed.
"The Government will be as transparent as possible in the dissemination of information. Whenever there is a suspected case, particularly involving patients with travel history to the Middle East, the CHP will release information to the public as soon as possible," the spokesman remarked.
Early identification of MERS-CoV is important, but not all cases can be detected in a timely manner, especially mild or atypical cases. Healthcare workers (HCWs) should maintain vigilance and adhere to strict infection control measures while handling suspected or confirmed cases to reduce the risk of transmission to other patients, HCWs or visitors. Regular education should be provided.
Travellers returning from the Middle East who develop respiratory symptoms should wear face masks, seek medical attention and reveal their travel history. MERS-CoV should be tested for. Patients' lower respiratory tract specimens should also be diagnosed when possible and repeat testing should be done when clinical and epidemiological clues strongly suggest MERS.
Members of the public are reminded to take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene:
* Avoid going to farms and barns;
* Avoid contact with animals (especially camels), birds, poultry or sick people during travel;
* Wash hands regularly before and after touching animals in case of visits to farms or barns;
* Seek medical consultation immediately if feeling unwell;
* Avoid visit to healthcare settings with MERS patients;
* Wash hands before touching the eyes, nose and mouth, and after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose;
* Wash hands before eating or handling food, and after using the toilet; and
* Avoid undercooked meats, raw fruits, vegetables (unless peeled) and unsafe water.
The public may visit the CHP's MERS page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/26511.html), the DH's Travel Health Service (www.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/popup/popup.html) or the WHO's latest news (www.who.int/csr/don/archive/disease/coronavirus_infections/en/) for more information and health advice.
Ends/Friday, April 25, 2014
Issued at HKT 09:47
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