The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 20) closely monitoring 22 additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), including two deaths, 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.

     The patients are 19 men and three women aged from 24 to 90, with 15 having underlying illnesses. Two patients have passed away, eight are in a critical condition and 12 are in a stable condition. Investigations revealed that seven of them had a history of contact with camels and consumption of their raw milk, while one was a home contact of a previously confirmed patient. The remaining 14 patients' sources of infection are still under investigation.

     In addition, five previously confirmed patients died.

     To date, 1 864 cases have been reported to the WHO, including at least 659 deaths. Of note, 1 648 were confirmed in 10 Middle East countries, with 1 504 in the KSA, 79 in the United Arab Emirates, 28 in Jordan, 16 in Qatar, eight 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," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "We will maintain close communication with the WHO and relevant health authorities," the spokesman added.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the following pages for more information and health advice: the MERS pages of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the WHO's latest news. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS.

Ends/Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Issued at HKT 12:20

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