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The Department of Health is closely monitoring four additional cases due to infection with the novel coronavirus reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday (November 23). These additional cases comprised three from Saudi Arabia (of which one was fatal) and one from Qatar. Of the six laboratory confirmed cases reported by WHO so far, four cases (including two deaths) were from Saudi Arabia and two cases were from Qatar.
According to the WHO, two of the three most recently confirmed cases in Saudi Arabia are from the same family, living in the same household. Preliminary investigations indicate that these two cases presented with similar symptoms of illness. One died and the other recovered.
Additionally, two other members of this family also presented with similar symptoms of illness, where one died and the other is recovering. Laboratory results of the fatal case is pending, while the case that is recovering tested negative for the novel coronavirus.
Investigations are ongoing in areas of epidemiology, clinical management, and virology, to look into the likely source of infection, the route of exposure, and the possibility of human-to-human transmission of the virus. Close contacts of the recently confirmed cases are being identified and followed-up.
In view of the latest development, WHO encourages all Member States to continue their surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections
(SARI) and be prudent to consider that the virus is likely more widely distributed than just the two countries which have identified cases. Member States should consider testing of patients with unexplained pneumonias for the new coronavirus even in the absence of travel or other associations with the two affected countries. In addition, any clusters of SARI or SARI in health care workers should be thoroughly investigated regardless of where in the world they occur.
A DH spokesman said, "The Centre for Health Protection of the DH will also continue its enhanced surveillance mechanism with public and private hospitals, practising doctors and the airport for any suspected cases of Novel Coronavirus associated with Severe Respiratory Disease, especially among returning travellers from Saudi Arabia or Qatar. In addition, the Centre will alert public and private hospitals regarding the updated situation and WHO's latest recommendations. The Centre will stay vigilant and continue to work closely with the WHO and other overseas health authorities to monitor the latest development of this novel infectious disease."
Ends/Saturday, November 24, 2012
Issued at HKT 12:27
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