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Saturday, June 7, 2014

WHO concludes a MERS-CoV risk assessment mission in the United Arab Emirates

 
Date :  6/7/2014 2:17:15 PM


Geneva, June 7, IRNA -- A team from the WHO and technical partners from the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network has concluded a five-day mission in United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The team assessed the risk posed by the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, or MERS-CoV in the country. The team consisted of 6 experts in coordination, epidemiology, infection prevention and control, food safety and the human-animal interface, and risk communication.
Health authorities in the UAE had invited WHO to review the current situation after an upsurge in MERS-CoV infections in April. Upon arrival, the WHO team met with H.E Mr Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, the Minister of Health, in Dubai to discuss the mission.
Investigation and evaluation
During the mission, the team had extensive meetings with experts from Health Authority Abu Dhabi, Dubai Health Authority and the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority. The team visited the hospital to which two-thirds of the country’s cases can be traced, in order to review the epidemiological investigation and assess the infection prevention and control measures that have been applied. The WHO team evaluated the work done on investigating possible exposure routes, transmission patterns, and the clinical situation.
We are impressed by the amount of data and information generated during the investigation of MERS cases by UAE to help better understand MERS- CoV. This knowledge is of utmost importance to the rest of the world to better discover the source of the virus and the routes of transmissions from animals to humans, said Peter Ben Embarek, WHO team leader.
“The UAE health authorities have been following up diligently on the MERS-CoV cases, including repeated laboratory testing to check when cases have been cleared of the virus. This data will make an important contribution to the risk assessment and to guide the health response internationally, Ben Embarek concluded.
Need to share experience and knowledge
The preliminary result of the mission indicates that the cases in UAE do not show evidence of sustained human to human infection. The recent upsurge of cases in Abu Dhabi appears to have been caused by a combination of factors, including a breach in infection prevention and control measures in health care settings, active surveillance and increase in community acquired cases.
WHO recommends that the UAE health authorities to continue to investigate MERS, including the source of infection, and share new information as it becomes available. There is an ongoing need to share experiences and knowledge from all countries that have cases of MERS-CoV to better understand this emerging disease, including the role of animals in the spread of the MERS-CoV.
WHO stressed the importance of participating in multi-country case control studies from both the human health and animal health perspective. There are opportunities to do joint analysis of samples from infected camels and the infected humans around them. These studies will help understand the role of camels in the disease - particularly how human infection happens. This information will help inform people who are in close contact with camels to gain a realistic picture of the risk, and the level of precaution needed.
Globally, as of 4 June, 681 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV have officially been reported to WHO, including 204 deaths.
2222**1416 http://en.irna.ir/News.aspx?Nid=2717357

Hospital breaches 'worsened Mers outbreak in UAE'

Abu Dhabi, 5 hours, 5 minutes ago

Lapses in hospital infection control measures exacerbated an outbreak of a deadly new viral disease which has infected more than 60 people and killed at least 10 in the UAE, health investigators said.

Reporting the findings of a five-day mission to the UAE, experts from the World Health Organisation said, however, that they found no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission of new Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (Mers-CoV).

"The recent upsurge of cases in Abu Dhabi appears to have been caused by a combination of factors, including a breach in infection prevention and control measures in health care settings, active surveillance and increase in community acquired cases," they said in a statement.

First reported in humans in 2012, Mers causes severe and often fatal respiratory illness, with symptoms similar to those seen during the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) in 2003.

Its around 40 per cent death rate and reports of clusters of human-to-human transmission have raised concerns it may blow up into a pandemic.

So far, it has infected more than 800 people around the world, killing at least 310 of them. The vast majority of cases have been in Saudi Arabia, but there have also been sporadic cases and clusters across the Middle East and in Europe, Asia and the United States.

At the heart of the outbreak, Saudi Arabia has been criticised for its handling of Mers, which public health experts say could have been under control by now if officials and scientists there had collaborated more on studies into how the virus operates and where it is coming from..

In response, the Saudi health ministry says it has put in place new measures for better data gathering, reporting and transparency, including standardisation of testing and improved guidelines for labelling and storing samples.

Reporting on the UAE's handling of the problem, the WHO praised authorities there, saying they had been "following up diligently" on Mers cases, including conducting repeated tests to check when cases have been cleared of the virus.

"This data will make an important contribution to the risk assessment and to guide the health response internationally," said Peter Ben Embarek, who led the WHO delegation.

A six-strong team from the WHO and the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network were invited by the UAE to investigate Mers after an upsurge in cases there in April.

The team met experts from Health Authority Abu Dhabi, Dubai Health Authority and the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, and visited the hospital to which two-thirds of the country's cases had been be traced, it said, without giving its name or location.

"We are impressed by the amount of data and information generated during the investigation of Mers cases by UAE to help better understand Mers- CoV," Ben Embarek said.

"This knowledge is of utmost importance to the rest of the world to better discover the source of the virus and the routes of transmissions from animals to humans."

The Geneva-based UN health agency urged UAE health authorities to continue investigating Mers, including the source of infection, and to share new information as it is available.

"There is an ongoing need to share experiences and knowledge from all countries that have cases of Mers-CoV to better understand this emerging disease, including the role of animals in the spread of the Mers-CoV," it said.-Reuters

Abu Dhabi, 5 hours, 5 minutes ago

Lapses in hospital infection control measures exacerbated an outbreak of a deadly new viral disease which has infected more than 60 people and killed at least 10 in the UAE, health investigators said.

Reporting the findings of a five-day mission to the UAE, experts from the World Health Organisation said, however, that they found no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission of new Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (Mers-CoV).

"The recent upsurge of cases in Abu Dhabi appears to have been caused by a combination of factors, including a breach in infection prevention and control measures in health care settings, active surveillance and increase in community acquired cases," they said in a statement.

First reported in humans in 2012, Mers causes severe and often fatal respiratory illness, with symptoms similar to those seen during the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) in 2003.

Its around 40 per cent death rate and reports of clusters of human-to-human transmission have raised concerns it may blow up into a pandemic.

So far, it has infected more than 800 people around the world, killing at least 310 of them. The vast majority of cases have been in Saudi Arabia, but there have also been sporadic cases and clusters across the Middle East and in Europe, Asia and the United States.

At the heart of the outbreak, Saudi Arabia has been criticised for its handling of Mers, which public health experts say could have been under control by now if officials and scientists there had collaborated more on studies into how the virus operates and where it is coming from..

In response, the Saudi health ministry says it has put in place new measures for better data gathering, reporting and transparency, including standardisation of testing and improved guidelines for labelling and storing samples.

Reporting on the UAE's handling of the problem, the WHO praised authorities there, saying they had been "following up diligently" on Mers cases, including conducting repeated tests to check when cases have been cleared of the virus.

"This data will make an important contribution to the risk assessment and to guide the health response internationally," said Peter Ben Embarek, who led the WHO delegation.

A six-strong team from the WHO and the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network were invited by the UAE to investigate Mers after an upsurge in cases there in April.

The team met experts from Health Authority Abu Dhabi, Dubai Health Authority and the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, and visited the hospital to which two-thirds of the country's cases had been be traced, it said, without giving its name or location.

"We are impressed by the amount of data and information generated during the investigation of Mers cases by UAE to help better understand Mers- CoV," Ben Embarek said.

"This knowledge is of utmost importance to the rest of the world to better discover the source of the virus and the routes of transmissions from animals to humans."

The Geneva-based UN health agency urged UAE health authorities to continue investigating Mers, including the source of infection, and to share new information as it is available.

"There is an ongoing need to share experiences and knowledge from all countries that have cases of Mers-CoV to better understand this emerging disease, including the role of animals in the spread of the Mers-CoV," it said.-Reuters http://www.tradearabia.com/news/HEAL_259626.html

World Health Organization travel advice on MERS-CoV for pilgrimages


hat tip Helen Branswell and Flutrackers

World - travel advice on MERS-CoV for pilgrimages

World Health Organization travel advice on MERS-CoV for pilgrimages

3 June 2014
I. Introduction

As of May 2014, more than 635 cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been reported to WHO.
The virus appears to be circulating widely throughout the Arabian Peninsula and most MERS cases have been reported by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While most cases have occurred among residents, some cases have occurred among visitors. Based on currently available information, the overall risk for visitors to acquire MERS infection appears to be low.
The currently known epidemiological patterns indicate some infections occur in communities.

Cases detected in the community may arise from contact with infected animals or unprocessed products from infected animals, from person-to-person spread in the community, or from acquisition in the healthcare setting by individuals who remained living in the community.



Studies are underway to determine the relative contribution of all of these, but the studies are not yet complete. Other infections have occurred in hospitals, primarily when hospitalization of an infected patient, coupled with suboptimal infection control and prevention practices, has led to hospital transmission and outbreaks. Finally, infection among families has been seen and may reflect either person to person transmission or possibly exposure to a common source. At this time, the understanding of how MERS is transmitted is not complete, and we await the results of the studies in progress. There is no information at this time to suggest that widespread transmission is occurring in communities.
Since April 2014, there was an increased number of cases, notably in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and in the United Arab Emirates in both communities and health care setting. The latest information on MERS-CoV can be found here:
II. Effective communication of risk information

It is important for countries to use all practical and effective means possible to communicate information on a range of issues before, during and after Umra and Hajj to all key groups, including the following:
  • travellers to Umra and Hajj, particularly vulnerable groups within this population;
  • public health officials;
  • health care staff responsible for the care of ill pilgrims;
  • transportation and tourism industries; and
  • the general public.
2.1. Actions for countries to take in preparation for Umra and Hajj

  • Countries should advise travellers that persons with pre-existing major medical conditions (e.g. chronic diseases such as diabetes, chronic lung disease, immunodeficiency) are more likely to develop severe infection for MERS if they are exposed to the virus. Pilgrims should be advised to consult a health care provider before travelling to review the risk and assess whether making the pilgrimage is advisable.
  • Countries should advise travellers and travel organizations on general travel health precautions1, which will lower the risk of infection in general, including influenza and traveller’s diarrhoea. Specific emphasis should be placed on:
    • hand hygiene2 and respiratory hygiene (covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, washing hands after contact with respiratory secretions, and keeping a distance of one metre with other persons when having acute febrile respiratory symptoms);
    • adhering to good food-safety practices, such as avoiding undercooked meat or food prepared under unsanitary conditions, and properly washing fruits and vegetables before eating them;
    • maintaining good personal hygiene;
  • Countries should make health related advice available to all travellers departing for Umra or Hajj by working with the travel and tourism sectors and placing such materials at strategic locations (eg. travel agent offices or points of departure in airports). Different kinds of communication, such as health alerts on board of planes and ships, and banners, pamphlets and radio announcements at international points of entry, can also be used to reach travellers. Travel advice should include current information on MERS-CoV and guidance on how to avoid illness while travelling.
  • Countries should distribute current WHO guidelines, or their national equivalents, on surveillance3, infection prevention and control measures4 and clinical management5 of MERS-CoV to health care practitioners and health care facilities.
  • Countries should ensure that they have access to adequate laboratory services for testing for MERS-CoV and that information on how to obtain laboratory services and clinical referral is known to health care providers and facilities.
  • Countries should advise travellers to delay their travel if they develop a significant acute respiratory illness with fever and cough.
  • Countries should provide medical staff accompanying pilgrims with up to date information and guidance on MERS-CoV, ensuring that:
    • they are alert to the early signs of a developing respiratory infection and pneumonia:
    • they know who is considered to be in a high-risk group;
    • they know what to do when a suspected case is identified;
    • they are aware of simple health measures to reduce transmission.
2.2. Actions to take during Umra or Hajj

  • Countries should advise travellers that if they develop a significant acute respiratory illness with fever and cough (severe enough to interfere with usual daily activities) during Umra or Hajj,they should:
    • report to the medical staff accompanying the group or to the local health services;
    • cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, wash hands afterwards, or if this is not possible, cough or sneeze into upper sleeves of their clothing;
    • avoid attending crowded places and preferably isolate themselves until the end of the respiratory symptoms and, if isolation is not possible, use a tissue for covering nose and mouth or a surgical mask when in crowded places6.
  • Countries should advise travellers to avoid close contact with camels, visit farms and consume unpasteurized camel milk, urine or improperly cooked meat.
2.3. Actions to take after Umra or Hajj

  • Countries should advise returning travellers that if they develop a significant acute respiratory illness with fever and cough (severe enough to interfere with usual daily activities) during the two weeks after their return, they should:
    • seek medical attention, informing health attendants of their recent travel for Umra or Hajj;
    • immediately notify their local health authority;
    • take precautions when coughing or sneezing (see 2.2. above);
    • minimize their contact with others to keep from infecting them.
  • Countries should alert health practitioners and facilities to test returning travellers with a clinical presentation that suggests the diagnosis of MERS-CoV to be tested for MERS-CoV and to implement infection prevention and control measures. Confirmed cases of MERS-CoV must be reported to WHO. Clinicians should also be alerted to the possibility of atypical presentations in patients who are immunocompromised.
III. Measures at borders and for conveyances

  • WHO does not recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions or entry screening.
  • WHO encourages countries to provide information on MERS and this travel advice to transport operators and ground staff, and about self-reporting of illness by travellers.
  • As provided by the IHR, countries should ensure that;
    • routine measures are in place at point of entry for assessing ill travellers detected on board conveyances (such as planes and ships) and at entry;
    • procedures and means are in place for communicating information on ill travellers between conveyance and points of entry as well as between points of entry and national health authorities;
    • safe transportation of symptomatic travellers to hospitals or designated facilities for clinical assessment and treatment is organized.
  • If a sick traveller is on board a plane, a passenger locator form7 can be used. This form is useful for collecting contact information for passengers, which can be used for follow-up if necessary.

Pentagon monitors the spread of "Corona" in Jordan

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ammonnews.net%2Farticle.aspx%3Farticleno%3D195129

Pentagon monitors the spread of "Corona" in Jordan

[6/7/2014 9:57:14 AM]

Ammon - at a time when it has become "the story of the corona virus" worry the Arab region, revealed the U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) about it monitors the spread of the virus "in a number of countries in the Middle East, including Jordan."

The American interest in this matter, the presence of thousands of U.S. military personnel in the region, but many of them crossing it daily, according to the Pentagon.

The Pentagon said yesterday in a statement obtained by "tomorrow", a copy of it, that "the risk that infected individuals from the U.S. Army with the virus are relatively few.

But the statement showed the Pentagon's fear when he said, "in our time a person can travel around the world within 24 hours, so there will always be at risk."

Prior to the U.S. health authorities, the discovery of new confirmed two cases of the virus in the United States, Altqtah during their presence in Saudi Arabia.

The statement showed according to the Center for Disease Control American "hot spots of the disease", namely: the Arabian Peninsula, and neighboring countries such as Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Yemen and Lebanon.

He added that there are other areas also "worrying" in this regard, namely: Iran, Iraq, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and Israel.

The statement said that "there are thousands of elements of the U.S. Army in this region, and many others passing through daily, and what he does best to protect them from the virus, is to wash your hands frequently using soap and water or alcohol-sterile."

The statement that there is "a growing medical evidence to indicate that the virus came from the beauty," so advised "Pentagon" elements in the region to "get away from the animals, especially sick of them."

And that transition Corona may be a human being to human being, "especially among patients," including that the symptoms do not appear immediately, he advised, "the Pentagon" elements that, if they feel flu-like symptoms, they should inform the physician about the places you have traveled to, and examination your virus.

It is noteworthy that the first case of the disease was discovered with the virus occurred in the year 2012, and are similar to the symptoms of "Corona virus" with symptoms of influenza, in terms of high temperature, coughing and shortness of breath.

The statement said that the virus is the cause of disease, "Respiratory Syndrome in the Middle East", has infected more than 800 people around the world.

In the same vein, Jordan has about 1,500 U.S. troops, the White House announced late last year for their stay in the Kingdom in full coordination with the Jordanian government.

The presence of these forces on the territory of Jordan's "help the Jordanian government to contain the tension caused by the civil war in Syria."

And continue to exist until the security situation improves in Syria, and there was no need her, according to the announcement by the White House in December (December) last year.

There are also in Jordan battalion fighters "F-16" and a Patriot missile battery "one" only, and came to Jordan as part of the exercise, "Assad Almtahb" last year.

It was announced then that the Pentagon "to extend the publication in the UK, beyond the end of the exercise," depends on the request of the Jordanian government that. "

It is noteworthy in this regard to the presence of other elements of the U.S. is currently engaged in an exercise Almtahb Assad, who conducts his training in Jordan, with the participation of the armies of more than 20 countries. (Tomorrow - Middle twitter)

- See more at: http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.ammonnews.net/article.aspx%3Farticleno%3D195129&usg=ALkJrhgWr5PVZVdLmEIYb-5TkdGoWq3fzg#sthash.QAOtkozN.dpuf

Pentagon monitors the spread of "Corona" in Jordan

[6/7/2014 9:57:14 AM]

Ammon - at a time when it has become "the story of the corona virus" worry the Arab region, revealed the U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) about it monitors the spread of the virus "in a number of countries in the Middle East, including Jordan."

The American interest in this matter, the presence of thousands of U.S. military personnel in the region, but many of them crossing it daily, according to the Pentagon.

The Pentagon said yesterday in a statement obtained by "tomorrow", a copy of it, that "the risk that infected individuals from the U.S. Army with the virus are relatively few.

But the statement showed the Pentagon's fear when he said, "in our time a person can travel around the world within 24 hours, so there will always be at risk."

Prior to the U.S. health authorities, the discovery of new confirmed two cases of the virus in the United States, Altqtah during their presence in Saudi Arabia.

The statement showed according to the Center for Disease Control American "hot spots of the disease", namely: the Arabian Peninsula, and neighboring countries such as Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Yemen and Lebanon.

He added that there are other areas also "worrying" in this regard, namely: Iran, Iraq, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and Israel.

The statement said that "there are thousands of elements of the U.S. Army in this region, and many others passing through daily, and what he does best to protect them from the virus, is to wash your hands frequently using soap and water or alcohol-sterile."

The statement that there is "a growing medical evidence to indicate that the virus came from the beauty," so advised "Pentagon" elements in the region to "get away from the animals, especially sick of them."

And that transition Corona may be a human being to human being, "especially among patients," including that the symptoms do not appear immediately, he advised, "the Pentagon" elements that, if they feel flu-like symptoms, they should inform the physician about the places you have traveled to, and examination your virus.

It is noteworthy that the first case of the disease was discovered with the virus occurred in the year 2012, and are similar to the symptoms of "Corona virus" with symptoms of influenza, in terms of high temperature, coughing and shortness of breath.

The statement said that the virus is the cause of disease, "Respiratory Syndrome in the Middle East", has infected more than 800 people around the world.

In the same vein, Jordan has about 1,500 U.S. troops, the White House announced late last year for their stay in the Kingdom in full coordination with the Jordanian government.

The presence of these forces on the territory of Jordan's "help the Jordanian government to contain the tension caused by the civil war in Syria."

And continue to exist until the security situation improves in Syria, and there was no need her, according to the announcement by the White House in December (December) last year.

There are also in Jordan battalion fighters "F-16" and a Patriot missile battery "one" only, and came to Jordan as part of the exercise, "Assad Almtahb" last year.

It was announced then that the Pentagon "to extend the publication in the UK, beyond the end of the exercise," depends on the request of the Jordanian government that. "

It is noteworthy in this regard to the presence of other elements of the U.S. is currently engaged in an exercise Almtahb Assad, who conducts his training in Jordan, with the participation of the armies of more than 20 countries. (Tomorrow - Middle twitter)

- See more at: http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.ammonnews.net/article.aspx%3Farticleno%3D195129&usg=ALkJrhgWr5PVZVdLmEIYb-5TkdGoWq3fzg#sthash.QAOtkozN.dpuf

Friday, June 6, 2014

WHO: Infection control gaps helped fuel UAE MERS surge



Abu Dhabi mosque
extravagantni / iStock
MERS investigators from the WHO visited both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, whose Sheikh Zayed mosque is pictured
Infection control breaches led a list of factors that contributed to the April surge of MERS-CoV cases in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the World Health Organization (WHO) said today after a team of WHO and partner experts spent 5 days assessing the situation there.

The UAE has reported 70 MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) cases, according to a report yesterday from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). About 40 of those were identified in April, and many involved healthcare workers, says a case list maintained by FluTrackers, an infectious disease news message board.
Meanwhile, no new MERS cases were reported in Saudi Arabia or elsewhere today as of this writing. The Saudi health ministry's MERS Web site was down much of the day.
And both the WHO in its UAE report and a UK expert contacted by CIDRAP News underscored the need for case-control studies in the region.

Most UAE cases linked to one hospital

In a statement today, the WHO said its own experts and partners from the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) went to the UAE at the government's invitation to assess the MERS-CoV situation and risk.
"The team visited the hospital to which two-thirds of the country's cases can be traced, in order to review the epidemiological investigation and assess the infection prevention and control measures that have been applied," the agency said. The team also met with public health officials in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and evaluated the efforts to investigate possible exposure routes, transmission patterns, and the clinical situation.
"The preliminary result of the mission indicates that the cases in UAE do not show evidence of sustained human to human infection," the WHO reported. "The recent upsurge of cases in Abu Dhabi appears to have been caused by a combination of factors, including a breach in infection prevention and control measures in health care settings, active surveillance and increase in community acquired cases."
The agency did not give any details on the infection control gaps or the increase in community-acquired cases.
Peter Ben Embarek, WHO team leader, commented, "We are impressed by the amount of data and information generated during the investigation of MERS cases by UAE to help better understand MERS-CoV. This knowledge is of utmost importance to the rest of the world to better discover the source of the virus and the routes of transmissions from animals to humans."
The WHO recommended that the UAE continue to investigate MERS cases and cited a need for all countries affected by MERS-CoV to share experience and knowledge about it.
As it has done repeatedly, the agency stressed the need for multi-country case-control studies on both human and animal infections.
"There are opportunities to do joint analysis of samples from infected camels and the infected humans around them," the agency said. "These studies will help understand the role of camels in the disease—particularly how human infection happens.
"This information will help inform people who are in close contact with camels to gain a realistic picture of the risk, and the level of precaution needed."

Heymann stresses need for case-control studies

The need for case-control studies and better infection control was also strongly emphasized today by David Heymann, MD, a global health and infectious-disease expert and board chair of Public Health England, in comments to CIDRAP News.
Reflecting on the recent surge of MERS cases in the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, Heymann commented, "Two things need to be done: they need to understand how people are getting infected, so they can prevent it, and the second thing is to clean up infection control in hospitals so they don't transmit the virus from patient to patient or from patients to health workers."
Heymann, who is also head of the Centre on Global Health Security at Chatham House, London (the Royal Institute on Foreign Affairs), said MERS-CoV information has been emerging in "piecemeal" fashion so far, which contrasts with what happened during the SARS coronavirus outbreak in 2003.
"Each time we get a new glimpse of what's going on," he said. "We won't have the full picture until there's a coordinated response."
During the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) episode, clinicians and epidemiologists around the world were working together, making for an effective response, he observed. "This (MERS) has been going on for 2 years; SARS went on for about 6 months, or not even that."
Heymann said he doesn't know if any case-control studies are about to be launched. "I understand that WHO is there [in Saudi Arabia] again with a team, and many different agencies are offering to participate, but I haven't heard the outcome of those discussions yet," he said.
He said that what's needed in Saudi Arabia is "an understanding by the top level of the government that people are dying. . . . If they want to prevent sickness and death, they need to find out how people are getting infected. There are lots of clues, but there's no definitive understanding of how the transmission occurs."
As for the role of camels, Heymann said it's not yet clear if they are the source of human cases: Researchers "found a similar virus, camels and humans have the same virus, but who's infecting who? Until they do that case-control study, they won't be able to prevent this effectively."
See also:
Jun 6 WHO statement on UAE mission 
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2014/06/who-infection-control-gaps-helped-fuel-uae-mers-surge

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

UK firm evacuates staff from Sierra Leone over Ebola threat


Medecin Sans Frontieres vehicle in Guinea where the Ebola outbreak was first reported The Ebola outbreak was first reported in Guinea and has spread in west Africa
A British firm has evacuated "non-essential" personnel from Sierra Leone following an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus.
The first company to go public on such a move, London Mining said production at its Marampa mine was unaffected.
It said it was working with local and international agencies to monitor the situation.
The incurable and highly contagious disease was reported in the west African country last week.
There are already about 50 suspected cases in Sierra Leone and five people have died. There have been more than 100 deaths in neighbouring Guinea where the outbreak started, with cases also reported in Liberia earlier this year.
Iron ore company London Mining said it had evacuated what it called non-essential expatriate staff and was carefully monitoring the health of all of its employees.
The company is one of two large extraction companies in the country.
map
Ebola first emerged in central Africa 20 years ago and kills between 25% and 90% of victims. Symptoms include internal and external bleeding, diarrhoea and vomiting.
It is spread from one person to another by contact with infected blood, bodily fluids or organs or through contact with contaminated environments.
The Sierra Leone government, with help from aid agencies, is doing what it can to isolate known cases.
But late last week the families of several infected patients went to a rural clinic and forcibly removed their relatives.
BBC international development correspondent Mark Doyle says the families apparently wanted to have their loved ones treated by traditional African healers, and this action is bound to have spread the disease furtherhttp://www.bbc.com/news/uk-27675747#?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Sunday, June 1, 2014

"Do not panic" reassures the Ministry of Health

Alert Coronavirus in Algeria
"Do not panic" reassures the Ministry of Health
June 2, 2014
The Ministry of Health reassures: "no unnecessary panic but remain vigilant" as is set addressed by the Department of Abdelmalek Boudiaf after the confirmation of two cases of coronavirus in Tlemcen and Tipaza.
The Director General of the Department of Prevention Health Smail Mesbah, who was yesterday's guest writing radio Channel III stated that "the two confirmed cases have been isolated and supported in specialized structures. "

In contrast, he assured "no contamination was revealed among the relatives of people with these two." While calling for "vigilance" Smail Mesbah unveiled prevention device set up by the Ministry of Health since 2012 and thanks to the efficiency of this device that the two cases were identified in time

"We have alerted all our health facilities, checkpoints and border health hospital and reference laboratory coronavirus which Algeria is the only African country to dispose of." The same official also reassures the means and medical teams to deal with all eventualities. "We have the capacity to make the diagnosis of this new infection," he revealed.

As for the mechanism put in place, he explained that "this device consisted of prepositioned stock security means protection (mask and goggles ..) in all health facilities in the country." He says that "this device safety stock was established in 2102 end." According to him, "it is not a health care facility that does not have this safety stock of these means." This device does not stop at only this aspect.

Smail Mesbah has revealed that "the second element of this device is to make each hospital, it is a service dedicated to isolation if an event occurs."

The Director General of the prevention Ministry of Health ensures that "all health teams are mobilized to detect these cases." He explains that "any case which would essentially Saudi Arabia or the Middle East and who present within 10 days after the return of fever, cough or respiratory gene to be hospitalized, placed in isolation, collected and processed, "stressing that" any case potentially contagious been an epidemiological investigation and this is what was done. "

As regards the prevention device for pilgrims Smail Mesbah notes that this is done before leaving for Umrah and Hajj. He says that this operation is done with the collaboration with the Office of Umrah and Hajj and with all stakeholders.

It is also to educate pilgrims before departure and during their stay inform them immediately consult in case of fever and return to also look for fever "Besides the first case was hospitalized on the day of his arrival because he had a fever and cough, "a-til said. http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lemidi-dz.com%2Findex.php%3Foperation%3Dvoir_article%26date_article%3D2014-06-02%26id_article%3Devenement%2540art5%25402014-06-02

Governor Qunfudah: the dismissal of the Director of Health and common speech Al Houeiss I do not care

He's "already": Twitter and aircraft transporting patients .. put a huge Corona

Governor Qunfudah: the dismissal of the Director of Health and common speech Al Houeiss I do not care

Mohammed Houdad - already - Jeddah confirmed unpack Buqami governor Qunfudah that cases of Corona in the province did not exceed 4 cases only, was transferred to the hospital Jeddah to complete the treatment, surprising the panic that spread through the means of social communication, pointing out that the arrival of two rushed the injured may be his role in the spread of rumors among the people of the province, denying rumors of the dismissal of the Director of Health Affairs in the county.
 
He Buqami in a statement the "already": Today I visited the hospital Qunfudah and made sure all the procedures which according to plan therapeutic developed by the ministry, has not been a documented case today, with the exception of one case, suspicion and being taken too with it. "
Continued: Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah, Governor of Mecca acquainted with the health situation accurately, and the face of intensifying health actions, and the Ministry of Health has kindly turn necessary and entrusted with.
And on what frequency of claim hospital some of the injured isolation in their homes said: What happened to Health Affairs asked some contacts for people to stay in their homes safe side until he graduated results their examinations and make sure their injuries or not, they all did not show no symptoms of the disease, but the desire of the medical teams to take caution.
The governor refused to talk about the speech Qunfudah head notaries Qunfudah Sheikh Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Houeiss, directed to the Emir of the region and the Minister of Health requesting the treatment of Arthritis Qunfudah, and said: This is the speech I do not care and will not comment on it.
Buqami denied rumors of the dismissal of the Director of Health Affairs Balguenvzh, he said, takes us back not anything official yet from the concerned authorityhttp://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fsabq.org%2F8Ubgde

Algeria-preventive measures at the level of new ports and airports

Done in coordination with the concerned departments to meet the Corona virus .. Amar Ghoul emphasizes preventive measures at the level of new ports and airports
Transport Minister Amar Ghoul, yesterday, to take additional measures at the level of new ports and airports to strengthen the preventive dimension after registration has been confirmed two cases of Corona virus, and include control procedures that are applied in coordination with the concerned departments all arrivals from abroad.
 
The Transport Minister, Amar Ghoul, on the sidelines of the presentation the Prime Minister Abdelmalek baskets outline the government's work on the deputies to the National People's Assembly, said the ministry has coordinated with the departments concerned to take preventive measures additional to the level of ports and airports under all arrivals from abroad to control, not only of procedures on airports, ports and even affect the movement of ground transportation at the state border, and comes to take such additional measures as the Minister of the sector to avoid the entry of virus Coruna to Algeria after it confirmed the Ministry of Health, Population and Hospital Reform recording cases of infection with this virus, and the fall of these procedures in the framework of implementation of the Plan Preventive interests concerned with the conduct of airports and ports. http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fdjazairnews.info%2Fnational%2F42-2009-03-26-18-31-37%2F73609-2014-06-01-17-56-55.html

‘No Corona Virus patients’ - ‘Do not panic’


KUWAIT CITY, June 1: Jahra Hospital Director Dr Shihab Al- Mohandi has vehemently denied allegations that some children have been found to be infected with Corona Virus, reports Al- Rai daily. Al-Mohandi made the statement after rumors on the purported discovery of Corona Virus cases spread through various social networking sites. He asserted the hospital has not received any Corona Virus patient, indicating the children who were admitted recently had flu and the necessary precautionary measures have been taken to prevent spread of the virus.

He added the grandmother of the children also suffered from flu and she was confined at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital where some of the workers suspected her of having Corona Virus due to the symptoms she exhibited. He went on to say there is no reason for the public to panic because the ministry has taken all the required measures to prevent Corona Virus outbreak in the country. He then advised the people to verify information first before believing posts on social networking sites.
The Directorate of Moral Guidance and Public Relations of the Army General Staff has issued a statement concerning the health status of retired Staff Major-General Salem Al-Serour, reports Al-Seyassah daily. This came following reports published on the social networking websites since Major-General is one of the symbols and Kuwait military personality who has contributed to the development of the Kuwait Army and has played a prominent role with his brothers in the Army to defend the homeland during Saddam’s brutal invasion and liberation of our land. The statement added the Defense Ministry does not forget its sons of — officers and non-commissioned officers — whether retired or on not. The statement added, the Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah had given instruction to send him abroad for medical treatment http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/206526/reftab/36/Default.aspx

Health Launches command and control center

Health Launches command and control center
03 August 1435
The Ministry of Health today's command and control center, and a new unit for the permanent protection of the public and raise the degree of preparedness for any health challenges in the future.

Centre will ensure that the command and control of the Ministry of Health department's ability to do pre-emptive action and fast in front of any future challenges related to public health in the Kingdom such as corona virus that causes respiratory syndrome, the Middle East through the coordination efforts and ongoing monitoring.

It features a command and control center of the Ministry of Health doctors, scientists, researchers, health care professionals and emergency planning. It was the development of the center, which operates under the direct supervision of the Minister of Health, in collaboration with international experts and organizations such as the World Health Organization and the Agency Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

HE Engineer Adel bin Mohammed Faqih, Minister of Health in charge: "We have gained the cadres of the ministry of many experiences through dealing with the challenges of HIV corona virus that causes AIDS Middle East, respiratory, and that was the reason for the formation of a new unit combines various experts under one roof to take a proactive approach from now on. "

HE added: "The new center will help us to deal more effectively with the current challenges, as it will contribute to higher levels of overall preparedness for the future, in addition to upgrading the quality of the health care sector in the Kingdom in general."

And has been structured command and control center of the Ministry of Health to manage the health challenges in a scientific and systematic, and the center has now 11 platform, specializes in every one of them to deal with a specific topic, and all working under the supervision and coordination of platform control tower, which constitute the nerve center for the work of the command and control center.

The platforms include eleven:

1 - control tower: monitoring unit and the central coordination of the efforts of command and control center.

2 - Coordination IPCC: coordinate efforts with the necessary government partners and provide them with information updated.

3 - Public Health: data collection and epidemiological investigation and coordination with international partners.

4 - medical advisory board: a schedule of work and management of human and veterinary research. And counseling for the control tower and the rest of the platforms to answer questions about the scientific and medical.

5 - laboratory diagnosis: make sure to collect samples and examine and make necessary reports during a specific time period.

6 - support the fight against epidemics: provide substantiated information for decision-makers and to provide recommendations for preventive measures and control measures during Hajj and Umrah seasons for example.

7 - Anti-Infection: infection prevention and control in health care facilities and public information in ways appropriate preventive.

8 - Capacity Development: To ensure the availability of the necessary resources in health care facilities for patient care without the risk of transmission.

9 - therapeutic platform processes: to provide optimal health care for confirmed cases and cases developed symptoms of respiratory syndrome, the Middle East, according to international standards adopted.

10 - Analysis of data: data management and analysis for the infection in order to track the disease and the formation of ideas and visions medical

11 - Contact: information management and public outreach and education efforts and coordinate communication within the health care sector
For his part, Dr. Tariq Madani - Advisor to the Minister and the President of the medical advisory board, "through the control tower the center's new, we now have the capacity and resources necessary to control any challenges to public health through accurate information and updated constantly, and to ensure that appropriate action immediately by team charge, whether it be by air transport the patient to a particular hospital for example, or making sure the necessary scientific research on the behavior of a virus. "

In the same context, said Dr. Anis Cindy, member of the medical advisory board and president of platform operations therapeutic: "During the past few weeks, has been dealing with the challenges important part of efforts to contain the spread of the virus corona virus that causes AIDS Middle East respiratory, I represent to make sure that the Ministry of Health has a full and accurate understanding of the current situation with scientific data and documented. second challenge, it has focused on ensuring that positive cases of HIV on the best levels of medical care, and without exposing any of the health personnel or members of the community to the risk of the spread of infection. "

Added Dr. Cindy "was adopted strict guidelines for infection control in all health care facilities in the Kingdom, as we have established a system for evaluation and development, and inspection for compliance with these guidelines in hospitals, and we are working hard to ensure that medical and health care facilities all over the kingdom to training and resources necessary immediately when they need them. "

Under the ministry's commitment to the principle of transparency and accuracy of the information, a team work of command and control center comprehensive review of the cases that have been found infected with the disease in all hospitals and medical centers across the country since the advent of corona virus that causes respiratory syndrome Middle East. The database information resulting from these efforts of the ministry and the center, researchers, doctors and specialists epidemic diseases, valuable and necessary tool to deal with the challenge of Corona virus that causes respiratory syndrome Middle East in the best way possible.

Transfer «patient Corona» of drilling subcontractor to Dammam b «medevac»

الإخلاء الطبي (أرشيفية)
 Dammam - «life»
Quoted by the Directorate General of Health Affairs in the Eastern state of infected Pfyrus Corona medical evacuation of drilling subcontractor to Dammam.
 
The spokesman for the Directorate General of Health Affairs in the Eastern Province Khaled Usaimi he was transferred case of injury Pfyrus Corona announced that the Ministry of Health recorded and finally, the medical evacuation of the King Khaled Hospital in Al Batin to Corona Treatment Center in Dammam Medical Complex.
 
And between Usaimi that the patient (75 years) suffering from kidney failure, as has been the intensive care unit and medical care devoted to such cases in the treatment center Corona Complex Dammam Medical which was announced recently a specialized center for the reception and treatment of cases of Corona by the Minister of Health in charge, pointing out that Dealing with these cases are made through the criteria adopted by the World Health Organization.
He Usaimi that the health of Eastern seeks constantly to emphasize the hospitals and all their health sectors to work on readiness to receive any suspected cases and to take appropriate action and to deal with it in line with national standards and the World Anti-infection, with direct advertising for the positive cases in the official website of the Ministry of Health. http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alhayat.com%2FArticles%2F2717011

Jordan announces increase mortality Corona for 6 cases and injuries to 11

Graphical image
Graphical image

Amman - ASHA

Jordan announced the death of a new virus, Corona, bringing the death toll to 6 out of 11 injured after recording new infections الأحد June 1.

The director of communicable diseases at the Ministry of Health of Jordan d. Mohammed al-Lat, told the official Jordanian news "Petra" - The new case of death of a patient 69-year-old was staying in the hospital for some time, and has a high pressure and diabetes and has already proven his virus a week ago.

He stated that the new situation that has proved checkups central laboratories belonging to a health staff "26 years" and works in a hospital other than the one recorded the case of death, pointing to the team from the Directorate of communicable diseases in the ministry procedures epidemiological investigation necessary to identify contacts within the family and the health staff that dealt with infectedhttp://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://akhbarelyom.com/error.html&sandbox=0&usg=ALkJrhhfnqf_TNlF4qSJFnU3x8407VHDSA
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Gulf in talks with the head of the Department of Health Communicable Disease Management Center
The last condition was described in Corona / had one of the worst sufferers
Head of Communicable Diseases Management Center of the Ministry of Health last condition described in Corona said the four suspected corona virus infection or disease, two of whom MERS is definitely one of them in critical condition. The four sisters were a pilgrim in a hospital in Saudi Arabia.
خبرگزاری فارس: آخرین وضعیت بیماری کرونا در کشور تشریح شد/حال یکی از مبتلایان وخیم است

Mohammad Mehdi rational dialogue with health reporter told Fars corona virus through close contact with an infected person breathes, and carriers of the disease is transmitted, the disease has been diagnosed in 18 countries and 672 people, 207 people have died 's. Most cases of the disease in Saudi Arabia with 562 people infected in this country in more than 179 deaths.
He said the Ministry of Health for the control and prevention of disease incidence of approximately 1.5 years more than 900 suspected cases in national reference laboratory to investigate suspected cases of the first last week Kermansaravi has been approved.
He suspected members of a family of four sisters who are in a hospital in Kerman, a Saudi pilgrim who is accompanied by one other patient had a room. So far there has been definitively confirmed the virus in two patients whose sister has not been approved yet.
Apparently added every four sisters are now isolated in hospital under observation, but one of them is extremely serious and was admitted in the ICU.
Head of Communicable Diseases Management Center of the Ministry of Health said Qvnt corona virus that causes various diseases common in these cases MERS has its origin in Arabia has infected camels.
He said the flu is easily transmitted from human to human infection, usually respiratory infections occur in hospitals and in close communication.
Apparently added in addition to the disease Rstan in UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan have been observed but no cases of the disease have been found in Iraq.
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Tlemcen Infected with "Corona" in isolation in hospitalf

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Tlemcen
Infected with "Corona" in isolation in hospital

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Sources said that the discovery of the identical virus infection "Corona" in Tlemcen, progress was made as a person to undergo medical clinic for the purpose of detecting unusual. And learned "the news" that infected the slope of the City Sabra, northwest of Tlemcen, traveled to Saudi Arabia, accompanied by his wife to perform Umrah, have been put patient in a special wing interests Infectious Diseases Hospital Dr Dmarja university city of Tlemcen, while subject his wife to medical examinations and tests to see developed health. And tried to "the news" numerous times to telephone the manager of a provincial health to know what measures have been taken at the level of the university hospital, and the evolution of the patient's injury, but he refused to respond to our communications.
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Tlemcen
Infected with "Corona" in isolation in hospital

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Sources said that the discovery of the identical virus infection "Corona" in Tlemcen, progress was made as a person to undergo medical clinic for the purpose of detecting unusual. And learned "the news" that infected the slope of the City Sabra, northwest of Tlemcen, traveled to Saudi Arabia, accompanied by his wife to perform Umrah, have been put patient in a special wing interests Infectious Diseases Hospital Dr Dmarja university city of Tlemcen, while subject his wife to medical examinations and tests to see developed health. And tried to "the news" numerous times to telephone the manager of a provincial health to know what measures have been taken at the level of the university hospital, and the evolution of the patient's injury, but he refused to respond to our communications.
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Tlemcen
Infected with "Corona" in isolation in hospital

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Sources said that the discovery of the identical virus infection "Corona" in Tlemcen, progress was made as a person to undergo medical clinic for the purpose of detecting unusual. And learned "the news" that infected the slope of the City Sabra, northwest of Tlemcen, traveled to Saudi Arabia, accompanied by his wife to perform Umrah, have been put patient in a special wing interests Infectious Diseases Hospital Dr Dmarja university city of Tlemcen, while subject his wife to medical examinations and tests to see developed health. And tried to "the news" numerous times to telephone the manager of a provincial health to know what measures have been taken at the level of the university hospital, and the evolution of the patient's injury, but he refused to respond to our communications.
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The risk of spread of the dreaded virus

Professionals concerned healthEnlarge text size

  01.06.14 |

While WHO does not consider still necessary to declare a state of public health emergency of global scope, it nonetheless it found that "the gravity of the situation has increased in terms of impact on public health. "

A fact that continues to be confirmed worldwide, since every day new cases of coronavirus are reported. The virus has already killed 187 in Saudi Arabia since its appearance in 2012 A 11 year old child died last week in Riyadh, following the announcement of the death of six people -. Two women 55 and 80 years Riyadh, two men of 36 and 51 years in Medina and a 65 year old man and a 39 year old woman in Mecca.
Besides Saudi Arabia, cases of infection have been identified in other countries, including Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates or the United States and the Netherlands, but the majority affected people had traveled or worked in Saudi Arabia. As is the case of two Algerians, two men aged 66 and 59, who stayed in Saudi Arabia for performing Umrah, confirmed yesterday by the National Reference Laboratory for the coronavirus of the Pasteur Institute Algeria, currently hospitalized in Tlemcen and Tipasa.

Other cases may also appear in the coming days, warn experts who point out that it is a global concern. "Theoretically, other cases are suspected among those who have made an umra. For now, vigilance is required. It is especially important to take drastic at hospitals where patients can be treated suspects measures. The medical staff is first exposed to contamination that could be dramatic. Controls at borders and airports should also be provided on a regular basis, "notes Dr. Derrar, Executive Director of Centre Laboratory influenza reference to the Pasteur Institute and head of the unit of respiratory viruses. 
  Dr. Derrar insists on vigilance medical teams for not attending to the rapid spread, especially if the number of imported cases increases. "We must prepare for the risk of spreading face strong import any case," put it on hold.
Moreover, the concern of specialists is also located at the manipulation of the virus that could contaminate the health professionals on a large scale. Virologists wondering already where samples of these patients were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis and cases. Because they indicate that this type of virus is treated at a P3 laboratory with a are at the Pasteur Institute of Algeria, Sidi Fredj, but currently closed for an internal conflict. http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elwatan.com%2Factualite%2Fle-risque-d-une-propagation-du-virus-redoute-01-06-2014-259466_109.php

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Forced landing of the plane, "lines" in Geneva for an ambulance passenger Saudi Arabia

Forced landing of the plane, "lines" in Geneva for an ambulance passenger Saudi Arabia
"Al-Ahsa Today" - Al-Ahsa
Forced plane belonging to the Saudi Arabian Airlines, today, to make an emergency landing at the airport in Geneva, after about seven hours on takeoff from the airport and Washington, in order to aid a Saudi citizen was on board.
He said one of the passengers, "the flight crew asked whether it was among the passengers, a doctor for an ambulance riding, and when there was no doctor on the flight; forced the commander of the plane, a Boeing 777, and Flight 036, to make an emergency landing at the airport in Geneva."
"The plane stayed about three hours at the airport in Geneva, where the passenger disembarked, the plane took off and then to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, which reached a little while ago."  http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.hasatoday.com/53330&usg=ALkJrhgUg_1FIDlpEhHWNYkP_VsxL9bfXg

Postpone the press conference, the Minister of Health about the Corona virus

Was scheduled for today in Jeddah and will be determined at a later date

Abdullah Barqawi - already - Jeddah revealed the Ministry of Health for the postponement of the press conference, which was scheduled to ‫ held by the minister in charge of Engineer Adel bin Mohammed Faqih on Sunday, to highlight the latest developments of the virus corona virus that causes AIDS Middle East respiratory King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Jeddah.