Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection primary prevention: Difference between revisions
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==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
* Urgent investigations are required to better understand the transmission pattern of this virus. The most urgent include detailed [[outbreak]] investigations, case‐control studies to understand risk factors for infection, enhancing community studies and surveillance of [[pneumonia|community‐acquired pneumonia]] to assess whether significant numbers of mild cases resulting from human to human transmission are being missed, and identifying risk factors for infection in the hospital setting. Detailed information on the surveillance strategy and contact tracing would help understand limitations of current data. | * Urgent investigations are required to better understand the [[transmission]] pattern of this [[virus]]. The most urgent include detailed [[outbreak]] investigations, [[Case-control studies|case‐control studies]] to understand [[risk factors]] for [[infection]], enhancing community studies and surveillance of [[pneumonia|community‐acquired pneumonia]] to assess whether significant numbers of mild cases resulting from human to human [[transmission]] are being missed, and identifying [[risk factors]] for [[infection]] in the hospital setting. Detailed information on the surveillance strategy and contact tracing would help understand limitations of current data. | ||
* Although the immediate focus should be on clarifying the magnitude of the human‐to‐human transmission, no control will be possible until the transmission from the animal/environment source to humans is understood and interrupted. Based on current information, it is prudent for people at high risk of severe disease due to MERS‐CoV, including those with [[diabetes]], chronic [[lung disease]], pre‐existing [[renal failure]], or those who are immunocompromised, to take appropriate precautions when visiting farms, barn areas or market environments where camels are present. These measures might include avoiding contact with camels, good hand hygiene, and avoiding drinking raw milk or eating food that may be contaminated with animal secretions or products unless they are properly washed, peeled, or cooked. For the general public, when visiting a farm or a barn, general hygiene measures, such as regular hand washing before and after touching animals, avoiding contact with sick animals, and following food hygiene practices, should be adhered to. | * Although the immediate focus should be on clarifying the magnitude of the human‐to‐human transmission, no control will be possible until the transmission from the animal/environment source to humans is understood and interrupted. Based on current information, it is prudent for people at high risk of severe disease due to MERS‐CoV, including those with [[diabetes]], chronic [[lung disease]], pre‐existing [[renal failure]], or those who are immunocompromised, to take appropriate precautions when visiting farms, barn areas or market environments where camels are present. These measures might include avoiding contact with camels, good hand hygiene, and avoiding drinking raw milk or eating food that may be contaminated with animal secretions or products unless they are properly washed, peeled, or cooked. For the general public, when visiting a farm or a barn, general hygiene measures, such as regular hand washing before and after touching animals, avoiding contact with sick animals, and following food hygiene practices, should be adhered to. | ||
* WHO recommends increasing efforts to raise awareness of MERS among travelers going to and traveling from MERS‐affected countries but otherwise does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event nor does WHO currently recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions. | * WHO recommends increasing efforts to raise awareness of MERS among travelers going to and traveling from MERS‐affected countries but otherwise does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event nor does WHO currently recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions. | ||
Revision as of 17:39, 18 June 2014
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Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection Microchapters |
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Differentiating Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection from other Diseases |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]
Overview
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory illness. It is caused by an emerging coronavirus, specifically a betacoronavirus called MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus), first discovered in 2012. Being a relatively novel virus, there is no virus-specific prevention or treatment options for MERS patients. Attending to the fact that a vaccine hasn't been developed yet, enhancing infection prevention and control measures is critical to prevent the possible spread of MERS-CoV in hospitals and communities. Health‐care facilities that provide care for patients suspected or confirmed to be infected with MERS-CoV infection, should take appropriate measures to decrease the risk of transmission of the virus from an infected patient to others, health‐care personnel or visitors. It is not always possible to identify patients with MERS-CoV early in time due to the fact that some have mild or unusual symptoms. For this reason, it is mandatory that health‐care providers apply standard precaution measures consistently with all patients, regardless of their diagnosis, in all work practices.[1]
Prevention
- Urgent investigations are required to better understand the transmission pattern of this virus. The most urgent include detailed outbreak investigations, case‐control studies to understand risk factors for infection, enhancing community studies and surveillance of community‐acquired pneumonia to assess whether significant numbers of mild cases resulting from human to human transmission are being missed, and identifying risk factors for infection in the hospital setting. Detailed information on the surveillance strategy and contact tracing would help understand limitations of current data.
- Although the immediate focus should be on clarifying the magnitude of the human‐to‐human transmission, no control will be possible until the transmission from the animal/environment source to humans is understood and interrupted. Based on current information, it is prudent for people at high risk of severe disease due to MERS‐CoV, including those with diabetes, chronic lung disease, pre‐existing renal failure, or those who are immunocompromised, to take appropriate precautions when visiting farms, barn areas or market environments where camels are present. These measures might include avoiding contact with camels, good hand hygiene, and avoiding drinking raw milk or eating food that may be contaminated with animal secretions or products unless they are properly washed, peeled, or cooked. For the general public, when visiting a farm or a barn, general hygiene measures, such as regular hand washing before and after touching animals, avoiding contact with sick animals, and following food hygiene practices, should be adhered to.
- WHO recommends increasing efforts to raise awareness of MERS among travelers going to and traveling from MERS‐affected countries but otherwise does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event nor does WHO currently recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions.
Vaccination
Currently there is no vaccine available for the prevention of MERS infection.[1]
Travel Guidance
The peak travel season to Saudi Arabia is July through November, coinciding with the religious pilgrimages of Hajj and Umrah. CDC encourages pilgrims to consider recommendations from the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health regarding persons who should postpone their pilgrimages this year, including persons aged ≥65 years, children, pregnant women, and persons with chronic diseases, weakened immune systems, or cancer. WHO advises that persons with preexisting medical conditions consult a health-care provider before deciding whether to make a pilgrimage.
CDC continues to recommend that U.S. travelers to countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including MERS-CoV, by washing their hands often and avoiding contact with persons who are ill. If travelers to the region have onset of fever with cough or shortness of breath during their trip or within 14 days of returning to the United States, they should seek medical care. They should tell their health-care provider about their recent travel.
Infection Control
With multiple health-care–associated clusters identified (8,10), infection control remains a primary means of preventing and controlling MERS-CoV transmission. CDC has recently made checklists available that highlight key actions that health-care providers and facilities can take to prepare for MERS-CoV patients. CDC's infection control guidance has not changed. Standard, contact, and airborne precautions are recommended for management of hospitalized patients with known or suspected MERS-CoV infection.