First case of MERS virus recorded in PH

A 32-year-old Filipina nurse from Saudi Arabia has tested positive for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the Department of Health (DOH) announced.
The DOH is now tracing those who had contact with the nurse.

Case history

The nurse had arrived from Saudi Arabia last February 1. She did not show any symptoms upon her arrival. However, by February 10 (Tuesday), she had to be confined at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) .

Acting Health Secretary Janet Garin said the patient was admitted to the RITM after complaining of fever, body aches, cough and difficulty in breathing, which are symptoms of MERS-CoV.

Garin said the patient is now inside a negative pressure room at the RITM and is being closely monitored by doctors and health workers.

The patient is currently in stable condition.

What you need to know about MERS-CoV

MERS is a respiratory disease that has infected and killed hundreds, mostly in Saudi Arabia.

Reuters reported the World Health Organization (WHO) last week said it remained worried about the spread of MERS.

In an update issued February 5, the WHO said more must be done to track the virus, which is known to have infected at least 965 people, of whom some 357 have died.

“Although the pattern of transmission appears relatively unchanged, the overall situation and the possibility of international spread remains of concern,” the WHO said.

“Increased surveillance in many countries is needed to better monitor trends related to the spread of this virus.”

There is no cure or vaccine for MERS, which kills around 40 percent of its victims. The virus causes coughing, fever and breathing problems, and can lead to pneumonia and kidney failure.

First identified in humans in 2012, MERS is caused by a coronavirus, from the same family as the one that caused a deadly outbreak of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in China in 2003.

Outbreak in 2014

The WHO said the MERS outbreak, which appeared to peak in Saudi Arabia in April and May last year, “is currently characterised by sporadic cases and clusters of cases in communities and in healthcare settings, mostly in Saudi Arabia”.

A small number of cases have been exported by travellers, it said, but there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.

The MERS virus has been linked to camels, and the WHO and Saudi health officials have issued advice to people to avoid direct contact with the animals, or adhere to good hygiene practices when they are in contact.

But good data on MERS remains in short supply.

“Additional information from studies is … required to better understand the risk factors for infection and transmission,” it said. “In particular, the results of case-control studies from affected countries are urgently needed.”