Mers-scare passengers quarantined in Hong Kong given all-clear and released

As they walked out fit and healthy after two weeks in quarantine, the 19 passengers who shared a journey with China's first Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers) patient had no health complaints. But at least one had a gripe about his confinement - involving fleas.

The 19 had been in isolation at Lady MacLehose Holiday Village in Sai Kung since after being traced when the South Korean man was taken ill on the mainland after flying into Hong Kong on May 26.

As they were given the all-clear and put on four buses to take them away at about 3.10pm yesterday, one Hongkonger was glad his ordeal was over, although he had some criticism of his temporary accommodation.

"[The conditions] were so-so. Actually, quite bad. There were fleas," the man, who identified himself as Chung, told the South China Morning Post about his experience in the camp.

Among the 19 Hongkongers and South Koreans who were isolated, were two Korean women who earlier refused to cooperate with local officials until the South Korean consulate in the city stepped in to solve a "language problem".

Another South Korean man, who had previously left Hong Kong, was intercepted on his return to the city.