Middle East arrivals to test for deadly virus

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]