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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 10) closely monitoring 25 additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) 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 16 men and nine women aged from 16 to 76 (median age: 45). Among them, 10 are associated with an outbreak in a hospital in the capital of the KSA, Riyadh; 15 have underlying illnesses; seven are healthcare workers; seven are contacts of previously confirmed patients; two had frequent camel contact and consumption of raw camel milk; and one is pregnant. In addition, five previously confirmed patients died.
MERS cases reported by the KSA have sharply increased since August, with the majority related to an ongoing outbreak in a hospital in Riyadh. The latest figures of the Ministry of Health of the KSA showed that 138 cases were newly diagnosed in the past four weeks from August 9 to September 5, with a range of 21 to 49 per week. Among them, 129 (93.5 per cent) occurred in Riyadh. As the virus activity remained high, travellers to the KSA and the healthcare sector should pay special attention.
"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 Coronavirus. Pilgrims should hence consult healthcare providers before travel to review the risk and assess whether pilgrimage is advisable," a spokesman for the CHP said.
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, 1 542 cases have been reported to the WHO, including at least 544 deaths. Of note, 1 329 were confirmed in nine Middle East countries including 1 205 in the KSA, 76 in the United Arab Emirates, 18 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," 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/Thursday, September 10, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:36
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