Mers virus kills Arab woman in Abu Dhabi

The Health Authority Abu Dhabi (Haad) has announced the death of a woman diagnosed with novel Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The patient, a Jordanian resident, was confirmed to have the disease last November.

The Health Authority Abu Dhabi also announced that the health status of the husband and son is currently stable and they are receiving the required care.

Meanwhile, according to a Reuters report, two people infected with the virus in Qatar have died, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday.

Qatari health officials said last week scientists had found cases of Mers in camels there, fuelling speculation that camels might be the "animal reservoir" of the virus that is passing into humans.

Saudi officials last month also said a camel there had tested positive for Mers a few days after its owner was confirmed to have the virus.

Mers, which emerged last year and can cause coughing, fever and pneumonia, has killed almost 40 percent of the people it has so far infected around the world, with cases in countries across the Middle East as well as in Europe and north Africa.

Last month, th Health Authority Abu Dhabi (Haad) has announced the diagnosis of a coronavirus case.

A 75-year old-Omani national, who was visiting the UAE, suffered from respiratory symptoms in October, was hospitalised and is currently a patient in the ICU.

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

The Ministry of Health stated that the WHO first issued an international alert regarding the disease in September 2012.

MoH added that the WHO confirmed that 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.

The Ministry reassures everyone that globally, detected cases continue to be very low compared to other types of flu. The ministry confirms that the situation does not call for concern and that it is monitoring the situation closely to ensure the health and safety of everyone.

After Oman, Kuwait’s Ministry of Health also announced its first case of the deadly MERS coronavirus last month, involving a 47-year-old man.

Revealed at a press conference, the Kuwait News Agency, KUNA, reported the affected patient suffers already from diabetes, high blood pressure and has been quarantined for intensive care, said chief of disease control unit at the ministry Dr Musab Al-Saleh.

To avoid this disease and others, he urged the public to exercise maximum hygienic practices such as washing hands with hot water and soap, coughing and sneezing in tissue paper, and keeping one’s surroundings always clean.

Kuwait is the fifth Gulf Arab country this virus strain has emerged in since the outbreak began in neighbouring Saudi Arabia last year.

The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which can cause coughing, fever and pneumonia, has been reported in people in the Gulf, France, Germany, Italy, Tunisia and Britain.

Last month also saw Saudi confirm a camel had tested positive for the Sars-like virus.

The Saudi health ministry said the owner of the camel has been diagnosed with MERS too.

Globally, from September 2012 to date, WHO has been informed of a total of 153 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 64 deaths.

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