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Update on tour group travelled with a confirmed case of MERS in Austria on the same flight

6 October 2014

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 6) provided an update on a tour group who had travelled with a confirmed case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Austria on the same flight.

The tour group involved 42 members and a leader. All of the members returned to Hong Kong from Poland on October 4 and they have been put under medical surveillance as a precautionary measure. One of the members, a 49-year-old woman with underlying illnesses, reported today that she had developed cough with sputum. She was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital for management under isolation today and is now in stable condition.

Her nasopharyngeal aspirate tested negative for MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) upon preliminary testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB). Other tour group members and the tour group leader have remained asymptomatic so far.

"We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East not to arrange camel rides and activities involving camel contact, which may increase the risk of infection. In addition, travellers are reminded to avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels, and avoid contact with animals, especially camels, birds, poultry or sick people during travel," a spokesman for the DH said.

"Scientific studies support the premise that camels serve as the primary source of MERS-CoV infecting humans. A study further suggested that human MERS-CoV infections could be transmitted through close contact with infected camels," the spokesman added.

Locally, the DH's surveillance mechanism with public and private hospitals, practising doctors and at the airport is firmly in place. Suspected cases will be sent to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens are tested negative for MERS-CoV.

"MERS is a statutorily notifiable infectious disease and the CHP's PHLSB is capable of detecting the virus. No human cases have been recorded so far in Hong Kong," the spokesman said.

"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."

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 to HCWs.

Travellers returning from the Middle East who develop respiratory symptoms should wear face masks, seek medical attention and report their travel history to the doctor. HCWs should arrange MERS-CoV testing for them. Patients' lower respiratory tract specimens should be tested when possible and repeat testing should be undertaken when clinical and epidemiological clues strongly suggest MERS.

Travellers are reminded to take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene:

  • Avoid going to farms, barns, or markets with camels;
  • 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;
  • Do not consume raw or undercooked animal products, including milk and meat, or foods which may be contaminated by animal secretions, excretions (such as urine) or products, unless they have been properly cooked, washed or peeled;
  • Seek medical consultation immediately if feeling unwell;
  • Avoid visits to health-care settings with MERS patients;
  • Wash hands before touching the eyes, nose and mouth, and after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose; and
  • Wash hands before eating or handling food, and after using the toilet.

The public may visit the pages below for more information and health advice:

Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice against MERS ( www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/26551.html ).

6 Oct 2014