Press Release

Patient with respiratory symptoms and travel history under CHP investigation

10 May 2014

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (May 10) investigating a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) affecting a man aged 42 in Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).

The patient, with underlying illness, presented with fever, cough with sputum and sore throat on April 21. He then sought medical consultation from a private doctor and his condition improved after treatment. He presented with sore throat again on May 6 and developed shortness of breath on May 8. He was admitted to QEH on May 9 and fever was detected during admission. He is now in stable condition.

Initial investigations by the CHP revealed that the patient travelled to Ethiopia, Jordan and Israel from April 9 to 21, and visited the Philippines from May 1 to 6. He did not ride camels during his visit in Jordan from April 16 to 18 but indicated that some camels had walked around him. One of his travel collaterals to Jordan developed upper respiratory tract infection symptoms and has recovered already, while the other three travel collaterals have remained asymptomatic.

His respiratory specimen will be taken for preliminary laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB).

"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," a spokesman for the DH remarked.

"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 advised.

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 PHLSB 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 report their travel history to the doctor. Healthcare workers should arrange MERS-CoV testing for them. Patients' lower respiratory tract specimens should be tested when possible and repeat testing should be done 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 camel markets;
• 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 drink raw milk, or consume food which may be contaminated by animal secretions or products, unless they have been properly cooked, washed or peeled;
• 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; and
• Wash hands before eating or handling food, and after using the toilet.

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 latest news of the World Health Organization (This link will open in a new windowwww.who.int/csr/don/archive/disease/coronavirus_infections/en/) 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 (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/26551.html).