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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 7) closely monitoring 13 additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of health risks in the places they visit.
"In view of additional MERS cases reported, the public should remain vigilant. Travellers to the Middle East in the upcoming summer vacation should not make any direct contact with camels or consume raw camel products. They should also avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities," a spokesman for the CHP said.
The patients are eight men and five women aged from 25 to 84, with five having underlying illnesses. One patient has passed away, two are in a critical condition, eight are in a stable condition and two are still asymptomatic. Three of them (two are healthcare workers) either worked in or were admitted to the hospital where a MERS outbreak is currently occurring. Four (two are healthcare workers) had contact with previously confirmed cases including cases of the above hospital outbreak. Moreover, one has a history of frequent contact with camels and consumption of their raw milk. The remaining five patients' sources of infection are still under investigation.
In addition, three previously confirmed patients died.
To date, 1 782 cases have been reported to the WHO, including at least 634 deaths. Of note, 1 568 were confirmed in ten Middle East countries, with 1 425 in the KSA, 79 in the United Arabs Emirates, 28 in Jordan, 16 in Qatar, seven in Oman, six in Iran, four in Kuwait, and one each in Lebanon, Yemen and Bahrain.
"Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels, avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry, and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. 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 known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus," the spokesman said.
"We will maintain close communication with the WHO and relevant health authorities," the spokesman added.
Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilant, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the pages below for more information and health advice:
* The CHP's MERS page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/26511.html);
* MERS statistics in affected areas (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/distribution_of_mers_cases_en.pdf);
* The MERS page of the DH's Travel Health Service (www.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/popup/popup.html);
* The WHO's latest news (www.who.int/csr/don/archive/disease/coronavirus_infections/en).
Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/26551.html).
Ends/Thursday, July 7, 2016
Issued at HKT 12:40
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