Six Measures Against MERS Virus

by: Rosanna M. Tubelonia

OSH Trainer and Accredited Safety Practitioner

It is very sad news indeed.

There are now three (3) Filipino nurses who have died of MERS. The first patient in Riyadh last August, the second in the United Arab Emirates last month, and the third, just last Tuesday, as confirmed by the Overseas’ Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

I’m hoping that this number doesn’t increase and that Filipinos like you and me take care not to get this MERS virus which has probably been the most talked about disease these past few weeks.

But, what really is this MERS virus and what measures can we take to guard against it?

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, USA describes MERS as a viral respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (MERS-COV). This was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Most patients confirmed to have this infection developed severe acute respiratory illness and 30% of them have died from it.

Symptoms of MERS include non-specific ones like fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported the following countries to have MERS: Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen (Middle East); France, Germany, Greece, Italy, and the United Kingdom (UK) (Europe); Tunisia and Egypt (Africa); Malaysia and the Philippines (Asia); and the United States of America (Americas).

The virus appears to be circulating widely throughout the Arabian Peninsula. All recent cases reported outside the Middle East first developed infection in the Middle East; then the cases were exported outside the region. These travel-related cases do not appear to have infected others in their countries. In 2013, cases exported to France and the UK led to limited human-to-human-to-human transmission.

To protect ourselves from MERS CoV, the Philippines’ Dept. of Health (DOH) recommends that we do the ff:

Wash our hands often with soap and water.
Cover our noses and mouths with a tissue when we cough or sneeze. Dispose used tissue paper immediately and properly.
Avoid touching our face, especially the eye area, nose, and mouth- with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact, like kissing, sharing cups, or sharing utensils, with sick people.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs.
Make sure that children follow the above-mentioned precautions.

Following these safety precautions can greatly help and protect us from MERS.

References:

OWWA confirms OFW died of MERS by Shiela Crisostomo (Philippine Star News dtd. 5/9/14)
MERS-CoV FAQ from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
MERS-CoV FAQ from the World Health Organization (WHO)
MERS-CoV Health Advisory from DOH