How to recognize MERS-CoV disease

Most patients infected with MERS-CoV typically present with acute respiratory symptoms including: fever above 38°C, cough, and shortness of breath…

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is an acute respiratory illness caused by a virus.

The causative agent is a virus belonging to the coronavirus (CoV) group, first described in September 2012 in Saudi Arabia and known as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

Identifying signs:

Most patients infected with MERS-CoV typically present with acute respiratory tract infections, including:

-Fever above 38°C,

-Cough

- Difficulty breathing, lung parenchymal damage (pneumonia or progressive acute respiratory distress syndrome) based on clinical or radiographic findings of varying degrees of lung damage, and accompanied by acute renal failure syndrome. However, many cases of MERS-CoV infection are asymptomatic.

MERS-CoV can be transmitted directly from person to person through close contact or droplets of saliva. Infection of healthcare workers has been identified in several clusters of cases in Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

Seek medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:

- Individuals showing signs of acute respiratory tract infection may have fever (≥ 38°C) and cough;

- Suspected case of bronchopneumonia.

- Previous history of travel to/from the Arabian Peninsula or neighboring countries within the past 14 days.

Who is most susceptible to MERS-CoV infection?

Most age groups are susceptible to MERS-CoV infection. However, most cases are observed in the elderly and men; those with underlying chronic diseases are generally at higher risk.

Preventive measures:

Currently, there is no cure or vaccine for MERS-CoV. Current treatments remain the same as for acute respiratory infections and involve intensive care.

The World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently do not recommend that people restrict travel to countries in the Middle East experiencing outbreaks unless absolutely necessary. Before traveling, it is advisable to research the disease situation at your destination to proactively take measures to prevent infection.

- Maintain personal hygiene, wash hands frequently with soap, and gargle with antiseptic mouthwash.

- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, preferably with a cloth or handkerchief, to reduce the spread of respiratory secretions.

- Limit direct contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections; if contact with sick individuals is necessary, wear a medical mask correctly and maintain distance during interaction.

- Regularly disinfect contact surfaces such as toys, floors, doorknobs, etc.

-Avoid contact with animals and pets; if contact occurs, wash your hands thoroughly with soap.

- Individuals returning from the Middle East within the past 14 days who experience symptoms of acute respiratory infection such as fever above 38°C, cough, shortness of breath, or who have had close contact with someone exhibiting these symptoms, should immediately go to the nearest medical facility for consultation, examination, and MERS-CoV testing.

For healthcare workers: fully implement personal protective measures to protect yourself and avoid infection when in contact with, examining, and treating patients suspected of or infected with MERS-CoV.

- Regularly update yourself on information and prevention methods for MERS CoV from the Ministry of Health's website: http://vncdc.gov.vn and other official sources.

In order to detect early and prepare well for the prevention and control of acute respiratory disease caused by MERS-CoV, today (June 3), the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management requests hospitals under the Ministry of Health, Departments of Health of provinces/cities under the Central Government, and health departments of ministries and sectors to immediately implement and direct their affiliated medical examination and treatment facilities to implement the following contents:

The organization must classify patients from the moment they register for examination: Patients with symptoms of acute respiratory infection (cough, fever, etc.) must be triaged and examined and advised in a separate examination room. In this separate examination room, epidemiological factors must be investigated for patients who have lived in or traveled from Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, Kuwait, Lebanon, Jordan, Iran, Bahrain... and South Korea within the past 14 days. If a case of acute respiratory infection due to MERS-CoV is suspected, temporary isolation is required, and the Preventive Medicine Department must be urgently notified to collect samples for testing and send them to the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology or the Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City for timely diagnosis.

Implement mandatory standard and droplet precautions for healthcare workers who come into contact with patients exhibiting symptoms of acute respiratory infections during examinations and treatments, such as wearing masks and routine handwashing.

Organize refresher training on the Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome caused by Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), issued under Decision No. 3014/QD-BYT dated August 13, 2014, by the Minister of Health, for relevant units and strictly implement the above diagnostic guidelines.

Prepare isolation areas, isolation wards, and sufficient supplies of medicines, medical equipment, supplies, personal protective equipment, and disinfectants for emergency care and treatment when cases arise.

Strictly adhere to regulations regarding the admission, isolation, and treatment of MERS-CoV cases to limit spread and mortality.

Strengthen communication efforts within healthcare facilities to detect and prevent MERS-CoV, including: the current MERS-CoV epidemic situation, detection and infection prevention measures, and encouraging patients to voluntarily report their travel history to countries affected by the outbreak.

Closely coordinate treatment and prevention efforts, and strictly adhere to the infectious disease reporting regulations stipulated in Circular No. 48/2010/TT-BYT dated December 31, 2010, issued by the Minister of Health, in order to promptly address disease outbreaks.

According to Vov.vn