HEALTH | Two suspected MERS cases test negative

Two suspected cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Macau have tested negative, according to the Health Bureau (SSM).
Two Chinese citizens were taken to the public hospital last week with MERS associated symptoms, SSM said in a statement on Friday.
A 30-year-old Chinese man who works in Uganda, Africa, was in Macau to attend a conference at the Venetian hotel. He was rushed to hospital with symptoms of diarrhea, but did not have a fever, SSM said.
The second case involved a 57-year-old Chinese woman who works for a local hotel. She had recently returned to Macau after travelling in South Korea between May 20 and 25. The patient presented symptoms of diarrhea and respiratory infection. She had no fever either.
The patient said that while visiting South Korea, she did not seek treatment at any hospital nor had any contact with patients or local medical staff.
Both cases tested negative and patients will be treated accordingly, SSM said.
Last Thursday, the bureau denied rumors that a South Korean woman had been isolated for possible MERS after she sought treatment at Tap Seac’s Public Health Center.
Until now, there are no suspected cases of MERS in the city. However, authorities are still searching for a South Korean visitor who entered Macau after coming into contact with a MERS patient last week (May 26) on Asian Airlines flight OZ723 from Seoul to Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, Macau’s Fire Department has carried out a drill to test its response in case of a Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) out-­break.
The department said in a statement that it is ready to deal with potential MERS cases. Furthermore, it has reinforced communication with the Health Bureau to provide timely emergency services to citizens in need.
The department has urged those who may have symptoms associated with MERS to request an ambulance to take them to the public hospital. At the emergency rooms, citizens should also provide relevant information, namely countries which they have traveled to recently.
The department added that while driving a possible MERS patient to the hospital, staff would wear adequate protection gear and surgical masks.
The Health Bureau has taken further measures to cope with a possible MERS outbreak by ensuring that anyone visiting or using public emergency rooms in the peninsula or emergency services in Taipa will be required to wear a surgical mask.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), symptoms of MERS include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea have also been reported. CP