# 8607
The first known outbreak of MERS in humans occurred a little over two years ago at a Jordanian hospital, and while only two cases were retrospectively identified as positively infected, another 10 cases are considered `probable’ (see (see Helen Branswell report Earliest known MERS outbreak, in Jordan, infected at least 10 people).
Since then, however, the focus has been more on Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with Jordan only reporting another 7 cases, the latest (see Jordan: Media Reports Of 2 More Suspected MERS Cases), was reported to have died over the weekend.
Today PETRA, the official news agency of Jordan, has a long and detailed statement from the Jordanian Minister of Health. I would note that Ministry of Health’s English language website is offline, and I’ve not found the original statement yet on the Arabic version.
As we often see in these sorts of statements, the emphasis is one of reassurance; extolling their command of the situation, assurances that all local cases come from contact with `non-Jordanians’, and that citizens should pay no heed to rumors and should take advice or information on the virus only from the Ministry of Health.
Curiously, while stressing the importance of good hygiene (washing hands, covering coughs, etc) in the prevention of MERS, and taking pains to endorse `washing fruits and vegetables and nutritional balance & physical activity’, there is nary a mention of avoiding camels or camel products.
This from PETRA.
Health confirms all actions taken to monitor SK and early detection
Oman may 12 (PETRA)--Minister of Health Dr. Ali Hyassat said the Ministry has taken all the actions that will monitor the virus and infected cases detected early to prevent the spread of the disease.
He said in a statement issued by the Ministry's information centre said Monday that the number of substantiated cases since the first infection with the disease in the Kingdom in 2012 and up to now 9 injuries, including five deaths and injuries to the disease last year 2013 and cases registered this year are close contacts of cases of non-Jordanians who came to Saudi Arabia or Jordan have a history of travel outside the Kingdom.
Wawadah said the Ministry had taken mischievous preventive through intensive monitoring of severe respiratory diseases in three hospitals in Northern, Central and southern Kingdom and circulated to all the hospitals suspect case definition which must be sampled for testing and report immediately to the Ministry to take epidemiological and laboratory testing.
In this context, he referred to cooperation and coordination with all hospital visits and the Ministry in particular where injuries or suspected cases of infection control procedures and follow-up of contacts and implementation instructions for dealing with patients and health personnel have been trained for this purpose.
Dr. Hiasat, that deal with the disease and its implications is in partnership with all sectors of health and integration capabilities and unite their efforts through the National Commission, which is in session lasting up to the epidemiological situation locally, regionally and globally to take the necessary preventive and remedial actions in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization confirmed the safety procedures in dealing with the disease.
In dealing with cases, suspected cases are entered into the hospital and radiological and laboratory examinations required in case of proven pathological condition to apply infection control measures by isolating patients in single rooms and the commitment of resources by means of personal protection.
Dr. Hiasat stressed the importance of prevention and social attitudes and practices that may be the cause of transmission of some diseases that are dangerous to the health of the koruna.
And wished Dr. Hiasat citizens merely shake hands and regularly washing hands with SOAP and water, using a handkerchief when sneezing and coughing and maintain healthy habits such as washing fruits and vegetables and nutritional balance, physical activity and avoid contact with infected and not touching the eyes, nose and mouth with the hand that was carrying the virus after contact with contaminated surfaces.
Dr. Hiasat transparency in dealing with the disease and the infected cases and direct communication with the media to publish all available knowledge, information and facts.
He called on citizens to not pay attention to the rumors and take information from its sources in the Ministry said communication with the Ministry's hotline 0795752030.
Turning to talk about the crossings, saying that no extraordinary measures, and that the current situation does not call for it and there are no restrictions on travel to any land border crossing or at airports and that the who did not recommend restrictions on travel or trade with respect to United States dollars.
And about what arouses some reference to a thermal scanners at crossings are futile and have shown local and regional expertise, the relatively long incubation period of up to 15 days, as well as the temperature goes down if traveler circumcisers so it does not appear on the display temperature and passes through the scanners that pick up the situation.
-(PETRA) a t/p c
12/5/2014-03: 42 pm
