The ever-increasing number of patients testing positive for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has forced health authorities here to issue an advisory for travellers. It was also decided to put up screening centres in airports at Shamshabad and Visakhapatnam.
“At present, no cases of MERS have been reported. However, due to Government of India guidelines, we have arranged doctors to help patients at Shamshabad and Visakhapatnam. Travellers should keep in mind that there is no need to panic unnecessarily,” said Andhra Pradesh Director of Health Aruna Kumari.
Passengers from Middle Eastern countries with flu-like symptoms will be given medical assistance and their sputum samples collected. The samples will be sent to the Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM) for swine flu testing. If they are negative, then they will be sent to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), New Delhi for MERS testing. Health authorities said posters displaying necessary directions to the passengers have been put up at the airports.
Health authorities have advised the public to take precautions for common cold and maintain a cough etiquette.
“Basic precautions like personal hygiene, vaccination, methods to improve immunity among children like good nutrition are some measures to be taken for pneumonia, viral fevers, H1N1 and even for MERS,” says senior chest physician K. Subhakar.
What is MERS?MERS is a viral respiratory illness that was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. It is caused by Coronavirus called as MERS-CoV and most of the patients complain of severe acute respiratory illness, high fever, cough and shortness of breath.
“The problem with MERS is that the fatality rate is high. Nearly 45 per cent of patients who test positive die,” Dr. Subhakar said.
Vulnerable groups like the elderly, pregnant women and children who have compromised immunity levels should be careful. If possible, they should avoid going to places of mass gatherings. Influenza vaccines option under medical advice is also available,” Dr. Subhakar adds.
