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The Department of Health (DH) is today (April 15) closely monitoring a total of 16 additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
KSA (15 cases)
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According to the WHO, the cases in the KSA reported to WHO from April 6 to 11 include:
* A man aged 70 from western KSA with underlying illnesses who became ill on March 24, was hospitalised on March 29 and died on April 5, and his male asymptomatic home contact aged 28;
* Three asymptomatic healthcare workers (HCWs) - a woman aged 26 and two men aged 26 and 33;
* A male HCW aged 28 in western KSA who became ill on March 28, was hospitalised on April 3 and is now under intensive care;
* An asymptomatic male patient aged 35 from western KSA;
* A female asymptomatic HCW aged 32 from western KSA;
* A man aged 45 from the KSA's capital who became ill on March 30, was hospitalised on April 5 and is now under intensive care. He had no history of contact with animals or confirmed patients;
* A man aged 90 from the KSA's capital who became ill on March 30, was hospitalised on April 1, and is currently under intensive care. He also had no exposure to animals or contact with confirmed patients;
* A man aged 57 from the KSA's capital with underlying illnesses who became ill on March 16, was hospitalised on March 19 and died on March 30; and
* Four men aged 29, 33, 34 and 70 from western KSA.
In addition, a previously confirmed patient died. Investigations into contacts of the cases by the KSA's health authority are underway.
UAE (one case)
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The case in the UAE involves a man aged 45 from Abu Dhabi with no known underlying illnesses. He became ill on April 6, was hospitalised on April 7 and died on April 10. He had no recent travel history or contact with animals or confirmed patients. Investigations into contacts of the case by the UAE's health authority are ongoing.
This brings the latest global number of confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome to 228, including 92 deaths.
"The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the DH will seek more information on the cases 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 disease," a spokesman for the DH said.
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," the spokesman added.
"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 said.
Early identification of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus is important, but not all cases can be reliably detected in a timely manner, especially when a case is mild or atypical. HCWs and hospitals are therefore reminded to maintain vigilance against the disease and adhere to strict infection control measures consistently while handling suspected or confirmed cases in order to reduce the risk of transmission to other patients, HCWs or visitors. Regular education and training in infection prevention and 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 and repeat testing should be done when the clinical and epidemiological clues strongly suggest Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.
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/Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Issued at HKT 10:42
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