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The Department of Health (DH) is today (May 22) closely monitoring two additional cases of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus and one probable case reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by Tunisia.
According to the WHO, the two laboratory confirmed cases are a 34-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman who are siblings. Both developed mild respiratory illnesses and did not require hospitalisation.
Retrospective investigation into the cases revealed that the probable case, their 66-year-old father, with an underlying illness, became ill three days after returning from a visit to Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on May 3. He was admitted to a hospital for acute respiratory disease. His condition deteriorated and he passed away on May 10. Initial laboratory testing on his specimen produced negative results for novel coronavirus.
Further investigation into this outbreak by the Tunisian health authority is ongoing and close contacts of the family are being monitored for any unusual signs of illness. These are the first confirmed cases of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus in Tunisia.
Separately, a patient earlier reported as part of the ongoing investigation into an outbreak in a health-care facility in Eastern KSA has died. To date, a total of 22 patients, including 10 deaths, have been reported from this outbreak. The KSA government is conducting an ongoing investigation.
This brings the latest global number of confirmed cases of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus to 43, including 21 deaths.
"The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the DH will seek more information on the case from the WHO and the relevant health authorities. The CHP will stay vigilant and continue to work closely with the WHO and overseas health authorities to monitor the latest developments of this novel infectious disease," a DH spokesman said.
Locally, the CHP will continue its surveillance mechanism with public and private hospitals, practising doctors and the airport for any suspected case of severe respiratory disease associated with novel coronavirus.
"No human infection with this virus has been identified so far in Hong Kong," the spokesman stressed.
"We would like to reassure the public that the Government will be as transparent as possible in the dissemination of information on cases of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus. Whenever there is a suspected case, particularly involving patients with travel history to the Middle East and the affected areas, the CHP will release information to the public as soon as possible," the spokesman said.
In view of recent clusters reported in health-care facilities, health-care workers and hospitals are reminded to maintain vigilance against novel coronavirus and adhere to strict infection control measures while handling suspected cases in order to reduce the risk of transmission to other patients and health-care workers.
Health-care providers are advised to be vigilant among recent travellers returning from novel coronavirus-affected areas who develop severe acute respiratory infections. Patients' lower respiratory tract specimens should also be obtained for diagnosis when possible. Doctors are reminded that novel coronavirus infection should be considered even with atypical signs and symptoms, such as diarrhoea, particularly in patients who are immunocompromised.
Travellers returning from novel coronavirus-affected areas with respiratory symptoms are advised to wear face masks, seek medical attention and reveal their travel history to doctors.
The spokesman reminded members of the public to take heed of personal hygiene:
* Wash hands before touching the eyes, nose and mouth;
* Wash hands before eating or handling food;
* Wash hands after using the toilet;
* Wash hands after sneezing or coughing and cleaning the nose; and
* Avoid direct contact with animals, birds or poultry.
Members of the public may visit the CHP's website for more information on Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/26511.html) or personal hygiene (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/19899.html).
Ends/Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:40
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