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Press Release

DH closely monitors five additional overseas MERS cases reported to WHO

18 April 2014

The Department of Health (DH) is today (April 18) closely monitoring a total of five additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Malaysia, and hence called on the public to stay alert and maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene during travel.

UAE (four cases)

According to the WHO, the cluster of four health-care workers (HCWs) was identified upon contact tracing of a previously confirmed patient from Abu Dhabi who died on April 10. They had no recent travel history or animal exposure. They include:

Three of them are hospitalised under isolation in stable condition while one returned to home country against medical advice before release of laboratory result. Tracing of other health-care and family contacts is ongoing.

Malaysia (one case)

The case involved a man aged 54 who died on April 13 (reported in press release yesterday). Additional information reported to the WHO indicated that he had underlying illnesses. He travelled to Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a pilgrimage group of 18 people from March 15 to 28. He became ill on April 4 and was hospitalised on April 9. He visited a camel farm on March 26 during which he consumed camel milk.

To date, 243 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 authorities. 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 health-care 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. 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:

The public may visit the CHP's MERS page (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/26511.html), the DH's Travel Health Service (This link will open in a new windowwww.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/popup/popup.html) or the WHO's latest news (This link will open in a new windowwww.who.int/csr/don/archive/disease/coronavirus_infections/en/) for more information and health advice.



Last Revision Date : 18 April 2014