MoPH confirms case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome

MoPH

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has declared that a case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has been confirmed. The case is a male resident aged 50 years. In a statement on Tuesday, the ministry said the patient has been admitted to hospital to receive the necessary medical care in accordance with the national protocol to deal with confirmed or suspected cases of the disease. He had direct contact with camels. All the contacts of the patient are free of symptoms and will be monitored for 14 days in accordance with the national protocols. The MoPH, in co-operation with other entities concerned, is taking all necessary preventive and precautionary measures to control the disease and prevent it from spreading. MERS is a viral respiratory disease that is caused by one of the coronaviruses (MERS-CoV), but it differs from the novel coronavirus disease known as Covid-19. Both viruses differ in terms of the source of infection, mode of transmission and severity of the disease. The MoPH has called on all members of the public, especially people with chronic diseases or those with immunodeficiency disorders, to adhere to public hygiene measures. These include washing the hands regularly with water and soap, using hand sanitisers, as well as avoiding close contact with camels and seeking medical advice when experiencing symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, or shortness of breath.