Skip to content

Press Release

Update on latest MERS situation in Saudi Arabia and Qatar

17 May 2016

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 17) closely monitoring a total of five additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), including one death, reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Qatar, 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 the KSA, among the four male patients aged 39 to 70, three have underlying illnesses, two are contacts of each other, and one who died had frequent contact with dromedaries and consumption of their raw milk. In addition, three previously confirmed patients died.

In Qatar, the male patient aged 40 had frequent exposure to dromedaries.

To date, 1 733 cases have been reported to the WHO, including at least 628 deaths. Of note, 1 519 were confirmed in 10 Middle East countries, with 1 378 in the KSA, 78 in the United Arab Emirates, 28 in Jordan, 15 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 ).

17 May 2016