Photo Credit WHO
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On Sunday, in Study: Possible Transmission From Asymptomatic MERS-CoV Case, we looked at research that appeared in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, that suggested a 51 year old man who became infected with the MERS coronavirus during a hospital stay last February in Saudi Arabia probably contracted it from an asymptomatic or unrecognized mild case.
While most of the initial MERS cases reported involved severely ill patients, as testing capabilities have improved doctors have been able to indentify a number of mildly ill, or asymptomatic cases over the past few months.
Yesterday, in a letter to the NEJM, Saudi Deputy Health Minister Dr. Ziad Memish et al. describe 7 mild and/or asymptomatic MERS infections among female Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia.
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infections in Health Care Workers
August 7, 2013DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc1308698
(EXCERPT)
The presence of asymptomatic or subclinical MERS-CoV infections in the community or among health care workers could have important public health implications, since these infections may be sources of transmission to close contacts in the community or to patients with coexisting medical conditions. The close proximity of health care workers to patients and the handling of human biologic material (sputum, respiratory secretions, feces, urine, or blood) may increase the risk of transmission, and health care workers may be particularly at risk for MERS-CoV infections.
While mild cases provide a welcomed lowering of the mortality rate of the MERS coronavirus, they also open the possibility of unrecognized spread of the virus in the community.
The authors point out the need for better diagnostic tests, and warned of the necessity for constant vigilance against the MERS virus, and the rapid implementation of infection prevention and control measures when it is suspected.
The authors also point out that: … questions remain about the possible infectiousness of body fluids, excreta, and clinical samples and their infectivity and cross-transmission through contaminated surfaces and medical devices to the hands of health care workers.
The entire correspondence is online, and Robert Roos - News Editor at CIDRAP NEWS – wrote an excellent summary last night at:
Report profiles mild MERS cases in Saudi nurses
Aug 07, 2013
For more on the recommended infection control measures for medical personnel when dealing with the novel coronavirus, you may wish to revisit:
WHO: Interim Infection Control Guidance On nCoV (MERS)
CDC Interim H7N9 Infection Control Guidelines
