New fatal coronavirus case probed

March 13, 2013

The Department of Health is closely monitoring a fatal case of novel coronavirus Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health reported, involving a 39-year-old man.
 
This case brings the global total number of confirmed cases of severe respiratory disease associated with novel coronavirus to 15, including nine deaths. Eight of the cases, including six deaths, are from Saudi Arabia.
 
The patient developed symptoms on February 24. He was hospitalised on February 28 and died on March 2. The country’s health ministry said he had no contact with previously reported cases of novel coronavirus infection, and other potential exposures are under investigation.
 
The Centre for Health Protection will seek more information on the case and work with the World Health Organisation and other relevant health authorities to monitor the situation. The centre will continue to monitor public and private hospitals, practising doctors and the airport for any suspected cases.
 
The centre’s Controller Dr Leung Ting-hung chaired a second inter-departmental meeting today, to give a briefing on this infection's situation, in preparation against novel infectious diseases.
 
The Government will be as transparent as possible in disseminating information on cases of severe respiratory disease associated with novel coronavirus. Whenever there is a suspected case, particularly involving patients with a travel history to the Middle East and other affected areas, the centre will release information as soon as possible.
 
Travellers returning from novel coronavirus-affected countries with respiratory symptoms are advised to wear face masks, seek medical attention and reveal their travel history to doctors.
 
No cases have been identified in Hong Kong.