The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 17) closely monitoring 14 additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by Saudi Arabia from May 1 to 31. The CHP again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit.

     According to the WHO, of the additional cases, 10 were male patients and four were female patients, with ages from 22 to 80. Among them, three had exposure to camels, two had contact with previously confirmed patients and one was a health care worker. Eleven had underlying illnesses and five have passed away.

     According to the latest information, 2 442 cases have been reported to the WHO, including 2 223 in 10 Middle East countries comprising 2 051 in Saudi Arabia, 87 in the United Arab Emirates, 28 in Jordan, 24 in Oman, 19 in Qatar, 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," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "As countries in the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, continue to report MERS cases from time to time, travellers should refrain from going to farms, barns or markets with camels and avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry. Most of the cases reported in the Middle East had history of exposure to camels, consumption of camel milk or contact with other MERS patients," the spokesman said.

     "Scientific evidence showed that camels are reservoirs for MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Camels infected with MERS-CoV may not show any signs of infection. Infected animals may shed MERS-CoV through nasal and eye discharge and faeces, and potentially in their milk and urine. The virus may also be found in the raw organs and meat of infected animals. Therefore, the best protection is to practise good hygiene and avoid direct contact with all of these," the spokesman added.
 
     From time to time, suspected MERS cases reported to the CHP for investigation involve patients with history of contact with camels in the Middle East. The CHP strongly advises 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.

     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.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 is 105.1 (up 0.1 against yesterday's index).

     The Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) is taking part again in the Hong Kong Book Fair this year. Through game zones and demonstrations, members of the public can find out more about the rich e-resources of the HKPL. The Hong Kong Book Fair is being held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from today (July 17) to July 23 (Tuesday).

     Visitors can try out augmented reality (AR) games at the HKPL's booth at stalls A12 and A14 in Hall 1C. Participants are able to step into a story world of their choice to complete a short task or take a video clip with book characters. Members of the public can learn more about e-books and e-databases of the HKPL. Readers can also try the HKPL's e-resources on-site and experience the convenient online library services.

     The HKPL continuously enhances its digital collection. Designed for children aged between 4 and 11, the Kids InfoBits educational database released this month covers various topics including arts, people, sports and science. Magazines, news, pictures and educational videos suitable for children are also available in the database while the reading function is useful for junior English learners. OverDrive eBooks launched in February this year offers about 5 000 English e-books including leisure reading materials, children and young adult collections, fiction and biographies for readers to explore in the worlds of literature, technology, commerce, economics, social science and more.

     The Chinese e-book collections HyRead and SUEP in the HKPL's digital collection are popular among readers. The leisure and popular reading materials offered are suitable for people of all ages.

     The HKPL provides over 310 000 e-books and 77 e-databases, 28 of which can be accessed via the Internet. Members of the public can log in to their library accounts to read online or download to computers and mobile devices for e-reading anywhere and anytime. Hong Kong residents who have never applied for library cards or HKPL e-accounts can visit the HKPL's website to apply for e-accounts and enjoy immediate access to the diversified e-resources.

     Please visit the HKPL's booth at the fair or visit www.hkpl.gov.hk/en/e-resources/index.html to know more about the e-resources.

      

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     The meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs originally scheduled for tomorrow (July 18) at 10:45 am has been cancelled.
 

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has announced that the lifesaving services at Cafeteria Old Beach in Tuen Mun District resumed today (July 17). The lifesaving services at the beach were suspended earlier due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty.