Abu Dhabi Health Authority: What to do to avoid Mers virus

Heating unpasteurised milk to 70 degrees Celsius and consuming ‘well cooked’ meats are some of the preventive measures recommended by the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (Haad) to combat the spread of the deadly Mers-Coronavirus (Mers-CoV).

In an updated set of guidelines for the general public on its official website, Haad has also recommended regular washing of hands with soap and water, especially after coughing, sneezing, using washrooms and before and after eating or preparing food.  If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

Other tips include covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throwing the tissue in the trash; and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

When handling meat products, seperate them from other foods during preparation and storing. 

If residents are embarking on a journey to perform Hajj or Umrah, they are advised to wear masks.

Haad has also said symptoms to watch out for include fever, shortness of breath and coughing. If you suffer from such symptoms, “it is recommended to drink lots of fluids and take rest.” 

The guideline further states: “Individuals suffering from chronic diseases or immune deficiencies are advised to visit a doctor immediately if symptoms progress. Individuals in close contact with a laboratory diagnosed with Mers-CoV are advised to see a doctor immediately.”

Earlier this week, Haad announced eight more people who are in isolation in hospital with the Mers-CoV in Abu Dhabi have tested negative and will be leaving hospital soon.  With this, the number of individuals tested negative rises to 18 in the capital.

These eight cases were confirmed positive through routine screening of contacts, and were kept in isolation at hospitals as a precautionary measure.  They were able to clear the virus within 10-14 days without any treatment.  

Haad also announced seven new cases with Mers-CoV, adding: “Most have either no symptoms or mild symptoms, and are expected to clear the virus soon. They have been admitted to hospital for isolation until they clear the virus.”

The government authority confirmed it is coordinating with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other authorities in the country, and has taken necessary measures as per international standards and recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO). 

The MoH issued a statement saying WHO has confirmed the virus is not a concern for public health at the moment, and that the current situation does not require a travel ban to any country in the world, screenings at different ports or any restrictions on trade.

Cases of Mers-CoV have been discovered in Gulf countries, along with a case in Egypt this week. 

On April 27, the UAE news agency Wam reported that the death toll in Saudi Arabia had risen to 102, with 39 new deaths this month, citing the country’s Health Ministry.  Among the latest deaths was a nine-month-old infant, the Saudi ministry said.

Earlier, in a statement, the Saudi ministry stated that the number of people infected in the country had risen to 323 since the discovery of the disease in September 2012.
 

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