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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 14) closely monitoring 7 additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported by Korea.
According to the preliminary information of the health authority of Korea, they are:
* Four cases who had contact with a confirmed case in Samsung Medical Center;
* A case who had contact with another confirmed case in Hallym University Medical Center;
* A case who had contact with another confirmed case in Dae-Cheong Hospital; and
* A case who travelled in the same ambulance with another confirmed case. The ambulance driver reported yesterday was also in the same ambulance.
For the 5 cases under epidemiological investigation reported yesterday, all had contact with the same confirmed case in Samsung Medical Center.
To date, 144 MERS cases have been confirmed by Korea. In addition, another case was exported from Korea to Mainland China.
"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 health-care 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," the spokesman advised.
The CHP will maintain close communication with the World Health Organization and the health authority of Korea. Members of the public and the health-care sector should heighten vigilance and stay alert to the latest situation.
Ends/Sunday, June 14, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:14
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