SFDPH Health Advisory: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) June 5, 2013 Physician Resource, Public Health, SF Dept of Public Health health advisory, SFDPH, MERS-CoV, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus , SFDPH Health Advisory 0 June 5, 2013 In 2012 a novel coronavirus was identified, later named Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in an individual who died with an acute respiratory distress syndrome in Saudi Arabia. As of June 5, 2013, case clusters have been reported in Saudi Arabia (40), the United Kingdom (3), France (2), Italy (3), Jordan (2), Qatar (2), the United Arab Emirates (1) and Tunisia (2), for a total of 55 individuals, 30 of whom have died. No patients with MERS-CoV have been identified in the U.S. The U.S. 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. Many infections have been health care-associated—almost half of the recognized cases are part of one health care cluster in Saudi Arabia. One person in France became infected after sharing a hospital room with another infected person. There is clear evidence of person-to-person transmission, though the efficiency of transmission and the modes and routes of transmission are still under investigation. No travel warnings or restrictions are in effect for the Arabian Peninsula or neighboring countries. Actions Requested of Clinicians Remain alert for and evaluate potential cases of MERS-CoV using the criteria listed below. Report suspected cases of MERS-CoV to SFDPH Communicable Disease Control at 415-554-2830; after hours follow voicemail prompts to connect to 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 Lab 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.
