Press Release

DH closely monitors nine additional overseas MERS cases reported to WHO

24 April 2014

The Department of Health (DH) is today (April 24) closely monitoring nine additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the United Arab Emirates, and hence called on the public to stay alert and maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene during travel.

According to the WHO, three of the patients with underlying illnesses are from Abu Dhabi with no animal exposure. They include:

• A woman aged 52 hospitalised on April 16 in stable condition. She travelled to Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from April 5 to 16 where she visited a hospital thrice;
• A female close contact aged 63 of a previously-confirmed patient. She became ill on April 15 and had no recent travel history; and
• A female aged 73 who has stayed in a hospital since February 26 due to other illnesses and had no recent travel history. She has been under intensive care since April 14.

The remaining six also from Abu Dhabi are close contacts of a previously-confirmed patient. They had no animal exposure or recent travel history. They are hospitalised under isolation and are in good condition. They include:

• A woman aged 52 who had mild illness on April 9;
• An asymptomatic man aged 28;
• An asymptomatic man aged 59;
• A man aged 28 who developed mild illness on April 11;
• A woman aged 55 with mild illness on April 8; and
• A woman aged 28 with mild illness on April 8.

To date, 253 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 cases 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.