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The Department of Health (DH) is today (May 8) closely monitoring three additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by Yemen and Jordan, and called on the public to stay alert and maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene during travel.
According to the WHO, the first case in Yemen was a man aged 44 who developed fever and productive cough on March 17. He was admitted to hospital on March 22 and passed away on March 31. He had no recent travel history but had visited a camel farm on a weekly basis and drank fresh raw camel milk.
The two cases in Jordan involved two men aged 28 and 56 respectively. The 28-year-old man is a health-care worker (HCW) who developed headache and sore throat on April 22. He is currently hospitalised in stable condition. He has close contact with a previously reported case who was hospitalised.
The 56-year-old man was admitted to hospital on April 28 and developed acute respiratory distress syndrome on May 3. He passed away on May 5. He had no recent travel history or exposure to a laboratory-confirmed case of MERS-CoV.
Globally, the WHO has been informed of a total of 496 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV since September 2012, including 267 cases with information announced by the WHO and 229 cases identified in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) between April 11 and May 4 which were reported to the WHO by the KSA.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the DH is seeking more information on the cases from the WHO and relevant health authorities. The CHP will remain vigilant and work closely with the WHO and overseas and neighbouring health authorities to monitor the latest developments.
"We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East not to arrange camel rides and activities involving camel contact which may increase the risk of infection," a spokesman for the DH said.
"As pre-existing major illnesses can increase the likelihood of medical problems, including MERS, during travel, in view of recent pilgrimage activities, pilgrims should consult a health-care provider before travelling to assess whether it is medically advisable," the spokesman added.
Locally, the DH's surveillance mechanism involving public and private hospitals, practising doctors and at the airport is firmly in place. Suspected cases identified will be sent to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.
"MERS is a statutorily notifiable infectious disease and the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch is capable of detecting the virus. No human cases have been recorded so far in Hong Kong," the spokesman said.
"The Government will be as transparent as possible in the dissemination of information. 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.
Early identification of MERS-CoV is important, but not all cases can be detected in a timely manner, especially mild or atypical cases. HCWs should maintain vigilance and adhere to strict infection control measures while handling suspected or confirmed cases to reduce the risk of transmission to other patients, HCWs or visitors. Regular education should be provided.
Travellers returning from the Middle East who develop respiratory symptoms should wear face masks, seek medical attention and reveal their travel history. MERS-CoV should be tested for. Patients' lower respiratory tract specimens should also be diagnosed when possible and repeat testing should be done when clinical and epidemiological clues strongly suggest MERS.
Travellers are reminded to take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene:
* Avoid going to farms, barns or camel markets;
* Avoid contact with animals (especially camels), birds, poultry or sick people during travel;
* Wash hands regularly before and after touching animals in case of visits to farms or barns;
* Do not drink raw milk, or consume food which may be contaminated by animal secretions or products, unless they have been properly cooked, washed or peeled;
* Seek medical consultation immediately if feeling unwell;
* Avoid visiting health-care settings with MERS patients;
* Wash hands before touching the eyes, nose and mouth, and after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose; and
* Wash hands before eating or handling food, and after using the toilet.
The public may visit the CHP's MERS page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/26511.html), the DH's Travel Health Service (www.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/popup/popup.html) or the WHO's latest news (www.who.int/csr/don/archive/disease/coronavirus_infections/en/) for more information and health advice.
Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice against MERS (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/26551.html).
Ends/Thursday, May 8, 2014
Issued at HKT 14:45
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