The
Department of Health (DOH) has mobilized the
Task Force MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus) to
emphasize the importance of preventing the spread of the highly communicable
and potentially fatal disease.
The DOH has established
24-hour telephone and mobile hotlines: 711-1001; 711-1002; 0922-884-1564;
0920-949-8419; 0915-772-5621.
“There is still no epidemic
or outbreak of MERS-Corona Virus in the Middle East or the Arabian Peninsula,”
said Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona, adding this is the reason why the World
Health Organization has not imposed travel restrictions to and from the Middle
East.
As a health precaution,
however, Ona issued a Bureau of Quarantine to monitor travelers from the Middle
East.
Because hundreds of Filipinos
working in the Middle East return home daily, it is important that their
families, relatives, friends neighbors and all members of their communities
“fully understand all that must be known about MERS-CoV,” Ona said.
The Task Force MERS-CoV
continues to trace and test all the passengers of Etihad Airlines flight EY
0424 that arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on April 15.
One of the more than 400
passengers of that flight, including 45 foreign nationals, was a male Filipino
nurse who tested positive for the MERS-CoV when he was still at Al Ain City, an
hour’s drive from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Referred to as the “Index
Passenger”, he was tracked by the DOH on his way home and his relatives and
well-wishers were requested to subject themselves to testing and medical
observation at a DOH regional hospital.
Another test was done on the
Index Passenger since 10 days had elapsed from the reported testing date in the
UAE. He tested negative, according to the Research Institute for Tropical
Medicine (RITM).
Ona pointed out that while
the Index Passenger was traveling from Abu Dhabi to Manila in a seven-hour
flight, he was still deemed a positive carrier of the MERS-Corona Virus and
that all of his fellow passengers were exposed, including any number that may
been in close contact with him for the duration of the flight.
They are all “at risk of
infection,” he said.
The DOH continues to conduct
what it called an “intensive contact tracing” even as it reminded the public to
observe proper coughing manners and to engage in frequent hand washing to
prevent the spread of the infection.
“May I emphasize this
important fact: the MERS-Corona Virus is a communicable disease that may be
passed on to others through exposure or close contact with a positive carrier,”
Ona said.
He called the attention of
Filipinos who have returned recently from the Middle East to report to the
nearest hospital if they experience symptoms of the MED-Corona Virus which are
similar to the indications of flu, including fever with cough, cold or
sneezing.
MERS Alert
The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a viral
respiratory illness. MERS is caused by a coronavirus called “Middle East
Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus” (MERS-CoV).
MERS-CoV is a beta
coronavirus first reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia.
MERS-CoV is different from
other coronaviruses that have been found in people before. It is not the same
coronavirus that caused severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003.
However, like the SARS virus, MERS-CoV is most similar to coronaviruses found
in bats.
MERS-CoV has been shown to
spread between people who are in close contact. Transmission from infected
patients to healthcare personnel has also been observed. Clusters of cases in
several countries are being investigated.
Most people who got infected
with MERS-CoV developed severe acute respiratory illness with symptoms of
fever, cough, and shortness of breath. About half of them died. Some people
were reported as having a mild respiratory illness.
Countries With lab-confirmed
MERS cases as of April 2012: France, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait,
Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
Tunisia, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and – lately, with a
fatality each – Malaysia and the Philippines.
The CDC does not recommend
that anyone change their travel plans because of MERS. The current CDC travel
notice is a Watch (Level 1) which advises travelers to countries in or near the
Arabian Peninsula to follow standard precautions, such as hand washing and
avoiding contact with people who are ill.
There is no vaccine and there
are no specific treatments recommended for illnesses caused by MERS-CoV.
Medical care is supportive and to help relieve symptoms.
Lab tests (polymerase chain
reaction or PCR) for MERS-CoV are available. The CDC has developed molecular
diagnostics that will allow scientists to accurately identify MERS cases. CDC
also developed assays to detect MERS-CoV antibodies. These lab tests will help
scientists tell whether a person is, or has been, infected with MERS-CoV.
CDC will evaluate genetic
sequences as they are available, which will help scientists further describe
the characteristics of MERS-CoV.
If one develop a fever and
symptoms of lower respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath,
within 14 days after traveling from countries in the Arabian Peninsula or
neighboring countries, one should see a health care provider and mention the
recent travel.
CDC advises that people
follow these tips to help prevent respiratory illnesses:
Wash your hands often with
soap and water for 20 seconds, and help young children do the same. If soap and
water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
Cover your nose and mouth
with a tissue when you cough or sneeze then throw the tissue in the trash;
Avoid touching your eyes, nose
and mouth with unwashed hands;
Avoid close contact, such as
kissing, sharing cups or sharing eating utensils with sick people;
Clean and disinfect
frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs. [SciPhil]
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