Elderly Omani diagnosed with coronavirus in Abu Dhabi

Image released by the British Health Protection Agency shows an electron microscope image of a coronavirus, part of a family of viruses that cause ailments including the common cold and SARS. AP

ABU DHABI - The Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) on Thursday announced that a 75-year old-Omani national visiting the country has been diagnosed with the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (Mers-CoV).

The patient was hospitalized after suffering from respiratory symptoms in October and is currently is in the ICU.

Since the virus has been discovered in Saudi Arabia in September of 2012, two Emiratis have died from the virus, one within in the UAE. In July of this year, four health workers in Abu Dhabi also contracted the virus but are said to have recovered.

In a statement to state news agency Wam, HAAD confirmed that it is coordinating with the Ministry of Health and other authorities in the country, and has taken all necessary measures as per international standards and recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

To date, the WHO has confirmed a total of 150 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV worldwide more so now as the annual Muslim pilgrimage of Haj concluded last month.

Khaleej Times reported last month that Haj pilgrims returning to the UAE will not be monitored for Mers-CoV immediately, but cases will be investigated if they present at hospitals for flu-like symptoms.

A source at the infection control committee monitoring the spread of the virus in the country said the decision was taken keeping in mind the fact the ‘crisis was almost over.’

The source also said that all 12 hospitals in Dubai were reporting on suspected cases each day and until now, they have had zero reporting.

“If there is a suspected case, it has to be investigated and reported within 12 hours.”

“It is practically impossible to check each and every one of the returning pilgrims since they are in the thousands,” said the source, but if high-risk groups such as old people and pregnant women came to hospital with flu-like symptoms, they would be closely monitored.

The UAE had also asked the elderly and those with underlying chronic conditions to avoid Haj this year if possible.

MoH has also said that the WHO confirmed that the virus is not a concern for public health at the moment and that the current situation does not require a travel ban to any country in the world, screenings at different ports, or any restrictions on trade.

The ministry reassured that globally detected cases continue to be very low compared to other types of flu. The statement to Wam said that the ministry confirms that the situation does not call for concern and that it is monitoring the situation closely to ensure the health and safety of everyone.

Identified symptoms of Mers include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath and muscle pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea and vomiting and can also lead to organ failure.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com