Credit CDC
# 8652
Eight days ago, in MERS Advisories Go Up In Some US Airports, we looked at a traveler’s awareness campaign for those going to, or returning from, the Arabian peninsula on the dangers of MERS. At the time, I mentioned my surprise that there was no mention of avoiding camels, or camel products, in the CDC’s Traveler’s Advisory or in this newly released airport signage.
Although the exact mode of transmission to humans remains uncertain, many Arabian camels have been found to carry the MERS Coronavirus (see here, here, & here) and camel exposure has been linked to at least some human infections.
Consequently, many health agencies (including Hong Kong’s CHP, Canada’s PHAC, and the World Health Organization) have issued warning’s advising people to avoid contact with camels, and camel products in the Middle East.
This week the CDC has updated their MERS travel advisory, and it now includes information on camels, and the potential (but unquantified) risks from camel exposure.
Alert - Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions
Updated: May 21, 2014
What is the Current Situation?
Cases of MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) have been identified in multiple countries in the Arabian Peninsula.* There have also been cases in several other countries in travelers who have been to the Arabian Peninsula and, in some instances, their close contacts. Two cases have been confirmed in two health care workers living in Saudi Arabia who were visiting the United States. For more information, see CDC’s MERS website.
CDC does not recommend that travelers change their plans because of MERS. Most instances of person-to-person spread have occurred in health care workers and other close contacts (such as family members and caregivers) of people sick with MERS. If you are concerned about MERS, you should discuss your travel plans with your doctor.
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Exposure to camels
The MERS virus has been found in some camels, and some MERS patients have reported contact with camels. However, we do not know exactly how people become infected with the virus—many people with MERS have had close contact with a person sick with MERS.
The World Health Organization has posted a general precaution for anyone visiting farms, markets, barns, or other places where animals are present. Travelers should practice general hygiene measures, including regular handwashing before and after touching animals, and avoid contact with sick animals. Travelers should also avoid consumption of raw or undercooked animal products. For more information, see http://www.who.int/csr/disease/coronavirus_infections/faq/en/
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The World Health Organization considers certain groups to be at high risk for severe MERS; these groups include people with diabetes, kidney failure, or chronic lung disease and people who have weakened immune systems. The World Health Organization recommends that these groups take additional precautions:
- Avoid contact with camels.
- Do not drink raw camel milk or raw camel urine.
- Do not eat undercooked meat, particularly camel meat.
For more information, see http://www.who.int/csr/disease/coronavirus_infections/MERS_CoV_Update_09_May_2014.pdf
