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The Department of Health (DH) is today (July 6) closely monitoring an additional case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported by the Philippines, and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of health risks of the places of visit.
According to the Department of Health of the Philippines, the male patient is a foreigner who travelled from the Middle East to the Philippines. He later developed a cough and was hospitalised. He was laboratory-confirmed on July 4 and is now under isolation in a stable condition. Contact tracing by the Department of Health of the Philippines is underway.
"This is the second MERS case confirmed in the Philippines. We are seeking more information on the case from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the health authority of the Philippines and will closely monitor the situation," a spokesman for the DH said.
"The public should avoid unnecessary travel to Korea, in particular those with chronic illnesses. Travellers in Korea and the Middle East should avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities," the spokesman added.
"Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels, and avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are a known risk factor for acquiring MERS. As Ramadan will last until mid-July, pilgrims going to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Umrah should be vigilant against MERS," the spokesman said.
The CHP will maintain close communication with the WHO and relevant health authorities. Members of the public and the healthcare sector should heighten vigilance and stay alert to the latest situation.
Ends/Monday, July 6, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:57
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