#12,293
For the second time in less than a month, and for the 20th time since the virus was first identified in 2012, Qatar's MOH has announced new MERS infection. As with last month's case (see here), today's case has not traveled outside of Qatar during the two weeks prior to falling ill, and there is no mention of camel contact.
First the (translated) statement from the MOH, then I'll return with a bit more.
Ministry of Public Health announces the registration of new infection Corona
date of issue: April 18, 2017
The Ministry of Public Health announced the registration of new cases of laboratory confirmed infection Corona causes syndrome Middle East respiratory resident at the age of 25 years, thus registering the second case this year, the total number of cases that have been registered in the State of Qatar since the beginning of the virus was detected 20 cases including 7 deaths.
The patient was complaining of symptoms of fever, cold, cough and pain in the body for several days so he headed to the his health center where I took him a sample was tested in the reference laboratories for HMC and demonstrated a positive sample for the virus coronavirus that causes syndrome Middle East respiratory tests. Medical reports stated that the patient is in a stable condition and has been admitted to the hospital to receive proper medical care in line with the national protocol for dealing with cases of the new virus confirmed or suspected. Initial reports have reported that the patient is not suffering from any chronic illnesses and did not mix with people similar symptoms, and did not travel outside the country during the past two weeks.
Upon receipt of the communication of the case of the Rapid Response Team of the Department of Health Protection and Anti - Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Public Health to conduct epidemiological investigation and joint which aims to identify the potential source of infection and follow - up of all potential contacts of the patient to check whether some of whom corresponds to the standard definition of a case of suspected , according to the Organization definition WHO has been monitoring a number of patient contacts of work is currently underway to conduct the necessary tests on them, which will continue to monitor them for two weeks to make sure you do not see any symptoms they provide them with appropriate preventive advice.
The Ministry of Public Health announces the healing of the patient infected with Corona causes syndrome East respiratory which was recorded injury during the past month, and return the case to a resident at the age of 62 years , where his health condition required being admitted to Hamad General Hospital showed recent tests cured of the disease and accordingly has been lifted quarantine and the patient leaves the hospital.
And calls for the Ministry of Public Health all members of society, especially those at risk of developing complications of the disease such as those with chronic diseases or suffering from immune deficiency level of adherence to hygiene measures while avoiding contact with animals sick and to constantly wash your hands with soap and water and consult a doctor when feeling symptoms of fever, cough , and pain throat and in particular persons who deal closely with camels.
The rapid response team is working around the clock and receiving any complaints or inquiries regarding transitional diseases hotline 66740948 or 66740951 numbers
While roughly 1/4th of Qatar's cases reported recent travel outside of the country (mostly to Saudi Arabia), and several had either camel contact, or contact with known human cases, many (like the last two) appear to be community acquired without a known risk exposure.
- Last year, in EID Journal: Estimation of Severe MERS Cases in the Middle East, 2012–2016), we looked at research that suggested only about 40% of severe MERS cases in Saudi Arabia are identified and isolated.
- In 2015, at a time when Saudi Arabia had recorded fewer than 1200 MERS cases, a seroprevalence study (see Presence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus antibodies in Saudi Arabia: a nationwide, cross-sectional, serological study by Drosten & Memish et al.,) suggested nearly 45,000 might have been infected.
All of which leaves open the possibility that limited transmission by unidentified cases may be behind these sporadic, primary cases of unknown origin in the community.
