3 women in Hong Kong hospitalized after returning from South Korea and showing symptoms of MERS virus

Two more suspected Middle East respiratory Syndrome (Mers) cases emerged in Hong Kong this afternoon, just hours after a 22-year-old woman who had returned from South Korea was rushed to hospital for virus symptoms.

The three patients did not visit any health care facilities in South Korea, according to Quality Healthcare, the medical group which reported the 22-year-old's case.

The two latest patients are young women, however their ages were not disclosed.

One visited Seoul from May 26 to 30 and, after experiencing fever and diarrhoea, came to Quality Healthcare Medical Centre at Prince's Building in Central on Monday. After the government expanded the definition of suspected Mers cases, Quality Healthcare immediately placed her in isolation when she visited the centre again at 9.44am today.

She was sent to Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam at 12.15pm for rapid testing.

The third woman showed signs of fever and a runny nose after staying in South Korea from June 5 to 6. She visited the medical group's clinic at the Pacific Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui at 3.16pm today. The clinic reported the case to the Centre for Health Protection, and sent the patient to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei at 4.50pm for testing.

Meanwhile, the first patient reported today - the 22-year-old - is in isolation at the Princess Margaret Hospital where her condition is stable. Samples are being retrieved by health care workers and will be sent for a Mers test.

The woman, who visited Seoul between May 23 and 27, had a runny nose on Sunday and showed symptoms of fever yesterday.

She sought treatment at a clinic in Tsing Yi MTR station at around 10am, and was put in isolation there after telling the doctor she had been to South Korea.

The clinic notified the Centre for Health Protection and the patient was sent to hospital for further treatment.

“We placed her in a separate room and our doctor wore protective gear while treating her," said Dr Alexander Chiu, executive medical director of Quality Healthcare, which runs the Tsing Yi clinic.

"Meanwhile, we also contacted the Centre for Health Protection. An ambulance sent her to the Princess Margaret Hospital at around 12.40pm."

Health workers outside the clinic at Tsing Yi MTR station were seen in protective robes, gloves, caps and surgical masks, while some passengers covered their faces with masks on the platform as they exited trains.

The clinic has since been sterilised.

READ MORE