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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 2) closely monitoring four additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by Jordan, 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 WHO, the patients comprise three men and a woman aged from 38 to 76. The index case is a 60-year-old man who passed away on August 27. His history of exposure to known risk factors in the 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms is ongoing. While the other three patients had stayed in the same hospital where the first patient was hospitalised, investigations of possible epidemiological links with the confirmed patient or with shared healthcare workers are under way.
"MERS cases reported by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) have sharply increased recently, with the majority related to an ongoing outbreak in a healthcare facility in Riyadh. According to latest figures from the Ministry of Health of the KSA, the number of new diagnosed MERS cases in the KSA remained at a high level in the past three weeks, with 21 (20 in Riyadh), 49 (47 in Riyadh) and 34 (33 in Riyadh) cases reported in the weeks ending August 15, 22 and 29 respectively," a spokesman for the CHP said.
As the Hajj pilgrimage will begin in late September, pilgrims visiting Mecca, the KSA, should be vigilant against MERS. Those with pre-existing major medical conditions, such as diabetes, chronic lung disease, chronic renal disease and immunodeficiency, are more likely to develop severe infections if they are exposed to MERS Coronavirus. Pilgrims should hence consult healthcare providers before travel to review the risk and assess whether pilgrimage is advisable.
Pilgrims visiting Mecca may refer to the DH's advice (www.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/travel_special_needs/pilgrims.html) or that from the Ministry of Health of the KSA (www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/Pages/HealthRegulations.aspx).
To date, 1 478 cases have been reported to the WHO, including at least 516 deaths. Of note, 1 265 were confirmed in nine Middle East countries, including 1 143 in the KSA, 76 in the United Arab Emirates, 16 in Jordan, 13 in Qatar, six each in Iran and Oman, three in Kuwait, and one each in Lebanon and Yemen.
"Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels, avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry, and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. 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 known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus," a spokesman for the CHP advised.
"We will maintain close communication with the WHO and relevant health authorities," the spokesman added.
Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the pages below for more information and health advice:
* The CHP's MERS page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/26511.html);
* MERS statistics in affected areas (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/distribution_of_mers_cases_en.pdf);
* The MERS page of the DH's Travel Health Service (www.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/popup/popup.html);
* The CHP Facebook Page (www.fb.com/CentreforHealthProtection);
* The CHP YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/c/ChpGovHkChannel); and
* The WHO's latest news (www.who.int/csr/don/archive/disease/coronavirus_infections/en).
Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/26551.html).
Ends/Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:29
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