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Update on latest MERS situation in Saudi Arabia
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 19) closely monitoring eight additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), including one death, 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 in the places they visit.

     According to the WHO, among the patients, seven male and one female and aged from 27 to 76 (median: 49), five had underlying illnesses, two had contact with camels and consumed their raw milk, one had indirect camel contact and one had contact with a previously confirmed patient.

     In addition, two previously confirmed patients died.

     To date, 1 800 cases have been reported to the WHO, including at least 643 deaths. Of note, 1 585 were confirmed in 10 Middle East countries, with 1 442 in the KSA, 79 in the United Arabs Emirates, 28 in Jordan, 16 in Qatar, seven in Oman, six in Iran, four in Kuwait, and one each in Lebanon, Yemen and Bahrain.

     "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 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 these pages for more information and health advice: the MERS page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the WHO's latest news. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS.
 
Ends/Monday, September 19, 2016
Issued at HKT 10:49
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