Press Release

Traveller with fever tests negative for MERS-CoV

17 October 2014

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 17) reported a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) affecting a 44-year-old woman, whose respiratory specimen subsequently tested negative for MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The CHP called on the public to stay alert and maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene during travel.

The patient, with good past health, has presented with cough since October 14 and sore throat since October 15. She developed fever on October 16 and was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital the next day. She is currently in stable condition.

Initial investigation by the CHP revealed that the patient had travelled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from September 27 to October 13. She had no contact with camels or animals, or visits to health-care facilities, during the trip.

Her nasopharyngeal aspirate tested negative for MERS-CoV upon preliminary laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB).

As the annual pilgrimage is under way, the DH reminded pilgrims to consult a health-care provider before travelling to review the risk and assess whether making the pilgrimage is advisable. Persons with underlying illnesses, such as diabetes, renal failure, chronic lung disease and immunodeficiency, are more likely to develop severe infections for MERS if exposed to the virus. Pilgrims may refer to the website of the DH's Travel Health Service (This link will open in a new windowwww.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/travel_special_needs/pilgrims.html) for travel advice.

"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 have supported the premise that camels served as the primary source of MERS Coronavirus (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, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Suspected cases identified will be sent to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for 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 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," the spokesman added.

Early identification of MERS-CoV is important, but not all cases can be detected in a timely manner, especially mild or atypical cases. Health-care workers 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, health-care workers 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. Health-care workers 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 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 on MERS (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/26551.html).