Hong Kong stays alert amidst Mid-East syndrome scare

Global deaths stood at 45.

According to a report, the Department of Health is closely monitoring two additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome reported to the World Health Organisation by Saudi Arabia.

The WHO said both patients are in critical condition in hospital intensive care units.

The first case involves a 41-year-old man admitted to hospital on July 15. The second patient is a 59-year-old woman who developed symptoms on July 11.

Both have underlying medical conditions, but neither has had contact with confirmed cases or animals.

This brings the latest global number of confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome to 90, including 45 deaths.

No human infection with this virus has been identified so far in Hong Kong.