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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) received notification from Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) today (February 17) of a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome affecting a 31-year-old woman, whose respiratory specimen tested negative for the virus.
The patient, with good past health, presented with sore throat since February 7, followed by runny nose and headache since February 13, and fever and cough since yesterday (February 16). She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of PWH and was admitted for further management under isolation today. She is currently in a stable condition.
Preliminary investigation by the CHP revealed that the patient had travelled to Dubai between February 8 and 13, during which she had no history of contact with poultry or patients. Her travel collateral was asymptomatic.
Her 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 remarked.
"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 stressed.
Early identification of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus is important, but not all cases can be detected in a reliable and timely manner, especially when it is mild or atypical. Health-care workers (HCWs) and hospitals are therefore reminded to maintain vigilance against the disease and adhere to strict infection control measures while handling suspected cases in order to reduce the risk of transmission to other patients, HCWs or visitors. Regular education and training on infection control should also be provided to all HCWs.
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.
Travellers should avoid contact with animals, poultry or sick people during travel and seek medical consultation immediately if feeling unwell. They should also wash hands regularly before and after touching animals when visiting farms or barns.
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 doctors.
Relevant travel health advice can be found on the website of the DH's Travel Health Service (www.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/popup/popup.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/Monday, February 17, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:35
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