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Press Release

Update on latest MERS situation in Saudi Arabia

27 April 2016

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 27) closely monitoring a total of three additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) between April 19 and 23. The CHP again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of health risks in the places they visit.

According to the WHO, the patients are two men and one woman aged from 24 to 58, with one having underlying illnesses. Among them, one is a healthcare worker who has a history of caring for a confirmed case. The other two are household contacts of previously confirmed cases, while one of them also had a history of frequent contact with dromedaries and consumption of their raw milk.

To date, 1 728 cases have been reported to the WHO. Of note, 1 514 were confirmed in 10 Middle East countries, with 1 374 in the KSA, 78 in the United Arab Emirates, 28 in Jordan, 14 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," 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 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 on MERS ( www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/26551.html ).

27 Apr 2016