MERS virus: Four dead in Oman

A deadly respiratory illness is gathering pace in Oman as reported in Times of Oman that four people have died in the Sultanate after being infected with the Middle – East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS CoV).

As a result, the Ministry has enhanced measures to reduce the spread of the infection and to promote its early detection.

The Ministry said: “The Ministry of Health announced in the latest updated data on MERS that the number of cases recorded this year has reached 10, which resulted in four deaths, across different governorates of the Sultanate.”

“The ministry will strengthen preventive measures at the level of hospitals and health centres to promote early detection of infections and to reduce the spread of infections within health care institutions and the community,” the ministry’s statement read.

On February 13, a new case of MERS CoV was detected, which brought the total number of recorded cases in 2019 to six.

The ministry called on all citizens and residents to cooperate with the health staff and comply with the recommended procedures and guidelines.

About Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a viral disease caused by a coronavirus, much like SARS. It was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and most cases have occurred in that country.

Symptoms range from cough and a fever to severe respiratory failure and death. Approximately 36 per cent of reported MERS patients have died. There is no vaccine

How it spreads

• MERS is a zoonotic virus, transferred between animals and humans
• It is believed that camels are the major source of infection, with strains of MERS found in animals from Egypt, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia
• MERS does not pass easily between humans, but can be caught through prolonged, unprotected contact with a sufferer

How to prevent it

• Practise general hygiene in areas where camels are present
• Avoid consuming raw or undercooked animal products, such as meat and milk

Symptoms & Complications

Most people confirmed to have MERS-CoV infection have had severe acute respiratory illness with symptoms of:

• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath

Some people also had gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea and nausea/vomiting. For many people with MERS, more severe complications followed, such as pneumonia and kidney failure. About 3 to 4 out of every 10 people reported with MERS have died. Most of the people who died had an underlying medical condition. Some infected people had mild symptoms (such as cold-like symptoms) or no symptoms at all; they recovered.

Based on what researchers know so far, people with pre-existing medical conditions may be more likely to become infected with MERS-CoV or have a severe case. Pre-existing conditions from reported cases for which we have information have included diabetes; cancer; and chronic lung, heart, and kidney disease. Individuals with weakened immune systems are also at higher risk for getting MERS or having a severe case.

An incubation period is the time between when a person comes in contact with a germ and when they start to have symptoms. Based on information we have to date, the incubation period for MERS is usually about 5 or 6 days but can range from 2 to 14 days.