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MERS infected in the Philippines
The risk of introducing the MERS virus when returning from Saudi Arabia is still present. This is illustrated by the current case of a 36-year-old infected person in the Philippines. According to Spiegel Online, the man had previously been in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. Whether more people have been infected with the man remains so far unclear. The patient had meanwhile been quarantined in the tropical institute of the country.
The 36-year-old reported on his return symptoms such as fever and coughing, after which he went on Thursday last week in medical treatment in the Philippines. Two days later, infection with the MERS virus was confirmed. Probably the man had been infected with the pathogens on his trip to Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Similar cases have occurred in several countries, including China, Malaysia, the Philippines and South Korea, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In South Korea, the pathogens were transmitted to numerous other people. 184 cases, including 33 deaths, have been registered by the WHO so far, with all cases attributable to a transmission chain. The concern in the Philippines is therefore very high, as the 36-year-old MERS virus was detected here.
The MERS virus was detected in a 36-year-old patient in the Philippines. (Image: fotoliaxrender / fotolia.com) Second MERS infection in the Philippines
To avoid spread of the pathogens, according to the Philippine Minister of Health Janette Garin, all persons were contacted who had closer contact with the man, reports "Spiegel Online". Currently, seven people are quarantined, with one patient showing mild disease symptoms. The test results are not yet available, so that it remains unclear whether she has actually infected with MERS. For the second time, a MERS infection in the Philippines was detected within this year. In the first case, a Filipino nurse had become infected on a trip to Saudi Arabia. However, she recovered relatively quickly from the infection and further transmission of the pathogens could be successfully prevented.
Camels are the main reservoir of MERS viruses
The WHO calls for increased awareness of MERS risk when traveling to vulnerable countries such as Saudi Arabia. "Health workers in all countries should have a high degree of vigilance for the possibility of MERS infection among travelers or migrant workers after returning from affected countries," according to the WHO communication. However, travel or trade restrictions have not been required so far. The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) was first detected in September 2012 in Saudi Arabia. Although much of the reported infections date back to a human-to-human transmission, camels are likely to be a major reservoir of the MERS virus. "However, the exact role of camels in the transmission of the virus and the exact routes of transmission are unknown," reports the WHO.
Arabian Peninsula MERS risk area
As typical MERS symptoms, the World Health Organization calls fever, cough and respiratory distress. Pneumonia is common but not always present. There are also reports of gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea. Serious disease can lead to lung failure. About 36 percent of the reported patients died from the consequences of MERS infection, according to the WHO. Currently, the virus seems to circulate throughout the Arabian Peninsula, with Saudi Arabia as a focal point. Here, more than 85 percent of previously reported cases were registered. In the case of infections outside the Middle East, a large proportion was due to travelers who brought MERS viruses on their return from the Arabian Peninsula. So also with the 184 so far registered cases in South Korea. (Fp)