Skip to content


Home >> Press Release >> 2014

Press Release

Tourists with respiratory symptoms and travel history under CHP investigation

29 December 2014

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (December 29) investigating two suspected cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) affecting a nine-year-old boy and his six-year-old sister.

The patients, with good past health, travelled from Dubai to Hong Kong on December 27. They developed fever, sore throat and cough since December 28 and 29 respectively. The children attended the general outpatient department of a private hospital today for management and were subsequently transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for isolation and treatment. They have been in stable condition.

Initial investigations by the CHP revealed that they had no contact with camels or animals, or visits to health-care facilities, in Dubai. Their travel collaterals have remained asymptomatic.

The patients' respiratory specimens will be taken for preliminary laboratory testing by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) of the CHP.

The CHP's investigation is continuing.

"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. Travellers should 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 support the premise that camels serve 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 explained.

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 (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. HCWs 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:

The public may visit 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 (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/26551.html).



Last Revision Date : 29 December 2014