Vietnam recommends measures against MERS-CoV respiratory syndrome

Trung Kien 18:57, 2018/09/12

MERS is a viral respiratory disease caused by the corona virus that was first identified in humans in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and has spread to 25 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Republic of Korea, Tunisia and the UK.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Health is closely coordinating with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other countries in the world to keep a close watch on the development of the Middle East respiratory syndrome-related corona virus (MERS-CoV) and timely implement preventive measures.

Measuring passenger’s body temperature at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport. Photo: Huu Viet

Following the information that the South Korea recently reported the first case in 2018 from the Middle East, representative of the Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health said that WHO reported that some Middle Eastern countries are still circulating MERS-CoV and may continue to document a number of new isolated cases in the region.

The Ministry of Health recommends that the disease does not have vaccines and specific drugs. The ministry advised people who want to go abroad to learn about the disease situation in the destination to actively have preventive measures, keep a close watch on their health by themselves within 14 days after returning, and immediately inform health clinics if they catch fever.

People with symptoms of respiratory infection or suspected illness such as fever, cough, dyspnea should not travel or to crowded places. Besides, people should avoid contact with people with acute respiratory illness. When in contact with sick people, people must wear medical masks and keep distance when exposed.

People should maintain personal hygiene, wash hands often with soap, avoid touching hands, nose, mouth. People should regularly clean floors, door handles and surfaces of household items with conventional cleaners such as soap and other conventional disinfectant solutions; improve health by eating, resting and living properly.

If there is evidence of acute respiratory infections, especially those related to epidemiology, people should immediately notify the nearest medical facility for advice, isolation and timely treatment.

According to the Department of Preventive Medicine, approximately 35-40% of reported patients with MERS have died. There is currently no vaccine available to protect people from MERS.

Currently, there are 20 close contacts, including flight attendants, health care workers who are closely monitored for their health and temporary isolated at home.

Up to date, no information about secondary transmission is reported.

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