MERS Coronavirus: Treatment Options as Virus Kills First Victim in Asia and a Case Turns Up in Philippines

MERS Coronavirus: Treatment Options as Virus Kills First Victim in Asia and a Case Turns Up in Philippines
A photo shows a (NIAID)
Zachary Stieber
4/17/2014
Updated:
4/17/2014

As the MERS coronovirus spreads further in the Middle East and has even killed its first victim in Asia, people are wondering what they can do to protect themselves from the threat.

Unfortunately, there are not any specific treatments at the time--including a vaccine. Some health authorities such as the U.S.-based Centers for Disease Control are in talks about developing a vaccine.

The agency says that there are things people can do to help protect themselves, though:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, and help young children do the same. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact, such as kissing, sharing cups, or sharing eating utensils, with sick people.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs.

The countries with lab-confirmed cases of the virus now include Malaysia and the Philippines as well as France, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates.

Internationally, since September 2012, the World Health Organization says it has identified a total of 238 confirmed cases of the virus, including 92 deaths.

“Based on the current situation and available information, WHO encourages all Member States to continue their surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns,” the organization said in its latest update.

“Infection prevention and control measures are critical to prevent the possible spread of MERS-CoV in health care facilities. Health-care facilities that provide for patients suspected or confirmed to be infected with MERS-CoV infection should take appropriate measures to decrease the risk of transmission of the virus from an infected patient to other patients, health-care workers and visitors. Health care workers should be educated, trained and refreshed with skills on infection prevention and control.”

Passengers walk past the medical quarantine area showing information sheets for the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus at the arrival section of Manila’s International Airport in Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Philippine officials said a Filipino health worker who tested positive for the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus has arrived home from the United Arab Emirates. It’s the first known case of the deadly virus in the country. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

See an Associated Press update about the spread to Asia below.

Malaysia reports first Asian death from MERS virus 

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—A Malaysian man who went on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia has become the first death in Asia from Middle East respiratory syndrome, while the Philippines has isolated a health worker who tested positive for the deadly coronavirus.

Malaysia’s health ministry said the Muslim man returned to Malaysia on March 29 and developed a high fever and cough and had difficulty breathing more than a week later. The man, a 54-year-old from southern Johor state neighboring Singapore, died Sunday in a hospital, it said Wednesday.

“Investigations showed that the cause of death is severe pneumonia secondary to MERS-CoV,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry urged all passengers travelling with the victim on Turkish Airlines on March 29 to report for health checks. It said it was also checking on people who have been in close contact with the man.

MERS belongs to a family of viruses that includes both the common cold and SARS, which killed some 800 people in a global outbreak in 2003. It can cause fever, breathing problems, pneumonia and kidney failure. It was first identified in 2012 in the Middle East, where most cases since have been diagnosed.

In the Philippines, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said the Filipino health worker had a positive blood test for the virus but showed no symptoms.

The man had personal contact with another Filipino hospital worker who died of the virus last week in the United Arab Emirates. Blood test results were released in the UAE after he arrived in the Philippines, and authorities immediately informed the Philippine Embassy.

The man has been isolated and people who had contact with him are being traced and quarantined, Ona said. Officials are also tracing the plane passengers who were seated near the Filipino during the flight to Manila.

The health department said it is sending an epidemiology expert and an infectious disease specialist to UAE after the death of the Filipino there and reports that six other Filipinos were found to have the virus.

Singapore’s health ministry instructed hospitals to be vigilant in testing for the virus if patients reported serious respiratory illness and have traveled abroad. The ministry said the possibility of an imported case cannot be ruled out given global travel patterns.

While MERS does not seem to spread as quickly between people as SARS did, it appears to be more deadly.

Zachary Stieber is a senior reporter for The Epoch Times based in Maryland. He covers U.S. and world news. Contact Zachary at [email protected]
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