Update on latest MERS situation in Saudi Arabia
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The patients are six men and three women aged from 29 to 59, with five having underlying illnesses. One patient has passed away, one is in a critical condition and seven are in a stable condition. Investigations revealed that four of them had a history of contact with camels and consumption of their raw milk. The remaining five patients' sources of infection are still under investigation.
To date, 1 841 cases have been reported to the WHO, including at least 652 deaths. Of note, 1 625 were confirmed in 10 Middle East countries, with 1 482 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 the following pages for more information and health advice: the MERS pages 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/Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Issued at HKT 10:40
Issued at HKT 10:40
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