NEW GUIDELINES FOR MERS PUBLISHED BY THE CIDRAP/CDC

 

The CIDRAP/WHO have issued new guidelines for the contrast to a possible MERS-Cov epidemic.  

In light of new evidence, the WHO has updated its guidelines.  One of the deciding factors was the discovery of the length of incubation period for Mers-Cov, which is believed to now be as long as 14 days, if not longer in some cases. 

The other important change has to do with the diagnostic guidelines.  Diagnostic samples must place more emphasis on lower respiratory tract specimens, due to the fact that the incubation period is so long and that nasopharyngeal swabs are not as sensitive in detecting Mers.  Some patients who were actually infected with MERS-Cov have received preliminary negative diagnosis with nasopharyngeal swabs.  

These findings also mean that the search for possible infected people must continue for at least 14 days after infection is confirmed in the patient.  

There is also evidence that MERS-Cov has crossed the zoonotic barrier and is therefore able to infect both humans and animals.  In one case, a camel in the UAE was treated by a MERS infected man, and there are suspicions that the beast, who has recovered, could have been either a carrier or have been infected by its caretaker.  However, the animal has not yet been tested.  To date, although bats are suspected, there is no confirmed animal reservoir for the coronavirus. 

In addition, there is evidence of human to human transmission, so that extreme care must be taken during the Arabian pilgrimages of the summer and fall, since the epicenter of the Saudi Arabia outbreak is Al Ahsa, a stone's throw from Mecca and not so far from Medinah.  Although in some cases exposure has not resulted in infection, in others it has.  It therefore could be that there are different strains with different levels of virality, and that alone should prompt greater vigilance and scrutiny. 

Partial Source : Cidrap/ 6.30.13