SFDPH Health Advisory: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) May 12, 2014 Public Health, SF Dept of Public Health health alert, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, MERS-CoV, SFDPH health advisory 0 UPDATE- from CDC as of 5/3/14: The first case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in the United States, identified in a traveler from Saudi Arabia, was reported to CDC by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) on May 1, 2014, and confirmed by CDC on May 2. All reported cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have originated in six countries of the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Kuwait). Imported cases have occurred in Europe, North Africa, and now the United States. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has posted case counts, clinical and laboratory guidance, questions and answers, and additional information at cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/index.html. No travel warnings or restrictions are in effect for the Arabian Peninsula or neighboring countries as of 5/2/14. CDC recommends travelers to the Arabian Peninsula to practice enhanced precautions; click here for CDC's recommendations. Actions Requested of Clinicians Remain alert for and evaluate potential cases of MERS-CoV using the criteria listed on health advisory. Immediately report suspected cases of MERS-CoV to the 24-hour SFDPH Communicable Disease Control telephone line at (415) 554-2830. After hours follow voicemail instructions to contact the on-call physician Notify your Infection Control Practitioner immediately, and implement Airborne, Contact, and Standard infection control precautions when caring for patients with known or suspected MERS-CoV. Collect and submit specimens to SFDPH Laboratory (SFPHL) according to guidelines referenced below, and Contact SFDPH Communicable Disease Control at (415) 554-2830 before submitting any specimens. Click here to view the SFDPH health advisory on MERS-CoV. For more information about health alerts, advisories, and updates from the San Francisco Department of Public Health, please visit http://www.sfcdcp.org/healthalerts.html. Comments are closed.
