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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 12) closely monitoring four additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported by Korea and eight additional cases reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
According to the health authority of Korea, the four cases are:
* Three patients who had contact with a confirmed case in Samsung Medical Center from May 27 to 29; and
* One patient who had contact with the same confirmed case in Good Morning Hospital on May 27.
In addition, the authority confirmed the sources of infection of the five cases announced yesterday (June 11), they are:
* Two patients who had contact with the same confirmed case in Samsung Medical Center from May 27 to 29;
* Two patients who had contact with the same confirmed case in Good Morning Hospital from May 25 to 27; and
* One patient who had contact with another confirmed case in Bagae Hospital on May 31.
To date, 125 MERS cases have been reported by Korea. In addition, another case was exported from Korea to Mainland China.
Meanwhile, according to the WHO, the eight cases in KSA involve seven men and one woman aged from 29 to 72. They had onset of symptoms between May 20 and June 2. One patient has a history of frequent contact with camels and sheep as well as consuming their raw milk. Two other patients had contact with previously confirmed patients. All of them are currently hospitalised for treatment.
To date, in addition to the laboratory-confirmed MERS cases involved in the outbreak in Korea, 1 163 cases have been reported to the WHO, including at least 444 deaths. Of note, 1 138 cases globally were confirmed in nine Middle East countries, including 1 023 in the KSA, 73 in the United Arab Emirates, 13 in Qatar, 12 in Jordan, six each in Iran and Oman, three in Kuwait, and one each in Lebanon and Yemen.
"We again urge the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of health risks of the places of visit," a spokesman for the CHP said.
"In view of the latest situation in Korea, the public should avoid unnecessary travel to Korea, in particular those with chronic illnesses. Travellers in Korea and the Middle East should avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities.
"In addition, travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels, and avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are a known risk factor for acquiring MERS.
"According to the WHO, among the recently exported cases in which the patients reported performing Umrah in the KSA, investigations revealed that they had either visited a healthcare facility or had come into contact with camels or raw camel products while in the KSA. As Ramadan will begin in mid-June, pilgrims preparing to go to the KSA for Umrah should be vigilant against MERS," the spokesman said.
The CHP will maintain close communication with the WHO and the relevant health authorities. Members of the public and the healthcare sector should heighten vigilance and stay alert to the latest situation.
Ends/Friday, June 12, 2015
Issued at HKT 12:50
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