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Update on latest MERS situation in Lebanon
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 5) closely monitoring an additional case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by Lebanon, and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit.

     "Travellers to the Middle East, particularly in the summer vacation, 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 said.

     According to the WHO, the patient is a 39-year-old Lebanese man living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). He travelled to Lebanon on June 11 and developed symptoms on June 15. The patient tested positive for MERS Coronavirus on June 16. The case was placed in home isolation and the patient was released from home isolation in Lebanon on June 23. He did not have contact with camels or individuals with respiratory symptoms.

     To date, 2 037 cases have been reported to the WHO, with at least 710 deaths. There have been 1 821 cases in 10 Middle East countries including 1 669 in the KSA, 83 in the United Arab Emirates, 28 in Jordan, 19 in Qatar, eight in Oman, six in Iran, four in Kuwait, two in Lebanon, and one each in Yemen and Bahrain.

     "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 MERS page of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the WHO's latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS.
 
Ends/Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Issued at HKT 12:32
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