HK probes suspected case of new coronavirus

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's health authority received a report from a local hospital on Sunday, over a suspected case of severe respiratory disease associated with new coronavirus affecting a four-year-old boy who came from Jeddah of Saudi Arabia, the city government said in a statement.

The boy presented with fever, cough and vomiting today and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Ruttonjee Hospital on Hong Kong Island. The boy has been transferred to Queen Mary Hospital for isolation, and his current condition is stable.

Respiratory specimen has been taken from the patient and test result is pending, according to the Center for Health Protection of the Department of Health.

Investigation by the Center for Health Protection revealed that the boy traveled with his father from Saudi Arabia to Hong Kong on October 3. His father also had fever two days ago but has recovered.

A spokesman with the Center advised travelers who fall sick within 10 days after visiting from affected countries should put on a mask and seek medical advice immediately, as well as report their travel history to the doctor concerned.

The WHO said earlier that two cases of acute respiratory syndrome with renal failure had been reported from two persons who had both traveled to Middle East, and a novel coronavirus has been later confirmed relating to the two cases.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which includes viruses that cause the common cold and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).