New case of MERS virus reported in Oman: WHO

Muscat: A new case of MERS coronavirus has been detected from Oman, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“On 11 December 2017, the National IHR Focal Point of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported one additional case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) infection,” the WHO said.

The patient is a 39-year-old male residing in Haima, Oman. “The case is currently asymptomatic, is in home isolation in Oman, and is being monitored for the development of symptoms,” added WHO.

On 2 December 2017, the case transported camels through the Al Ain-Mezyed entry point. A total of 10 dromedary camels were screened for MERS-CoV, five of whom tested PCR positive. “The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries are investigating the camels in the affected farm and infected camels have been quarantined. The case was identified as part of follow up MERS-CoV screening activities conducted by the Disease Prevention and Screening Center in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi.

“The Abu Dhabi Public Health Division has communicated with the Ministry of Health in Oman and with the MERS-CoV infected case. The case and his contacts have been provided information about further management and evaluation. Contacts were identified and all have tested negative for MERS-CoV,” the WHO added.