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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 4) closely monitoring 15 additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) including two deaths reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), 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 nine men and six women aged from 30 to 82. Eleven of these reported cases are associated with a MERS outbreak currently occurring in a hospital in Riyadh. Investigations of possible epidemiological links with the confirmed patients admitted to this hospital or with shared health care workers are ongoing. Regarding the other four cases, the history of exposure to the known risk factors in the 14 days prior to their onset of symptoms is under investigation. In addition, nine previously confirmed patients have died.
"MERS cases reported by the KSA have sharply increased recently, with the majority related to an ongoing outbreak in a healthcare facility in Riyadh. Concerning the hospital-based outbreak of MERS cases in the KSA, one of the preliminary conclusions of the WHO was that transmission of MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the emergency room of the most heavily affected hospital resulted in a significant nosocomial outbreak. The WHO also commented that there is continued virus transmission from camels to humans in some affected countries and continued instances of human-to-human transmission in healthcare settings. The healthcare sector and the public should pay special attention," a spokesman for the CHP said.
As the Hajj pilgrimage will begin soon, 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-CoV. 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, 1 493 cases have been reported to the WHO, including at least 527 deaths. Of note, 1 280 were confirmed in nine Middle East countries, including 1 158 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-CoV Coronavirus," the spokesman said.
"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/Friday, September 4, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:53
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