Hong Kong confirms another MERS victim

This brings total victims worldwide to 145.

Hong Kong’s Center of Health Protection reported an additional case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome or MERS last week to the World Health Organization, bringing the total global number of confirmed cases globally to 145. There have been 62 reported deaths out of the total confirmed cases of MERS infections.

WHO identified the newest victim as a 23-year-old male who worked in an animal barn owned by a patient who also suffered from MERS. The patient is currently in good condition and initial investigation revealed no history of recent travel.

CHP said it will continue its initiative to monitor the progress of the MERS virus in both the public and private health care sectors. It has also pledged to keep the public informed as new information about the disease becomes available.

“We would like to reassure the public that the government will be as transparent as possible in the dissemination of information on cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome,” CHP said. “Whenever there is a suspected case, particularly involving patients with travel history to the Middle East, the CHP will release information to the public as soon as possible.”