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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) received notification from Ruttonjee Hospital (RH) today (November 6) of a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome affecting a man aged 71, whose respiratory specimen tested negative for the virus.
The patient, with underlying illnesses, has presented with cough and sputum since October 24. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of RH last night (November 5) and was subsequently admitted for management under isolation. His clinical diagnoses were pneumonia and myocardial infarction. He is currently in a stable condition.
Preliminary investigations by the CHP revealed that the patient arrived Hong Kong alone on October 25 from Bahrain, where he described no contact history with animals or sick persons. His home contacts in Bahrain have remained asymptomatic so far.
His nasopharyngeal aspirate tested negative for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus upon preliminary laboratory testing by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the CHP.
Locally, the CHP will continue its surveillance mechanism with public and private hospitals, practising doctors and the airport for any suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.
"No human infection with this virus has been identified so far in Hong Kong," a spokesman for the DH said.
"We would like to reassure the public that the Government will be as transparent as possible in the dissemination of information on cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. 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.
Healthcare workers and hospitals are reminded to maintain vigilance against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and adhere to strict infection control measures while handling suspected cases in order to reduce the risk of transmission to other patients, healthcare workers and visitors.
Recent travellers returning from the Middle East who develop severe acute respiratory infections should be tested for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. Patients' lower respiratory tract specimens should also be obtained for diagnosis when possible. A majority of patients reported to date have had respiratory disease as their primary illness. Diarrhoea has been commonly reported and severe complications include renal failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome with shock. Doctors are reminded that severely immunocompromised patients might present with atypical signs and symptoms.
Travellers should avoid contact with animals, poultry or sick people during travel and seek medical consultation immediately if feeling unwell.
As a general precautionary measure, they should also adhere to food safety and environmental hygiene practices such as avoiding undercooked meats, raw fruits and vegetables, unless they have been peeled, and unsafe water. Those returning from the Middle East with respiratory symptoms are advised to wear face masks, seek medical attention and reveal their travel history to a doctor.
Relevant health advice can be found under "Current Travel Health News" on the website of the DH's Travel Health Service (www.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/outbreaknews/outbreaknews.html).
Members of the public are also reminded 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.
The public may visit the CHP's website for more information on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/26511.html) and personal hygiene (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/19899.html).
Ends/Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:04
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