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5 Cases of MERS in Kerman

5 Cases of MERS in Kerman
5 Cases of MERS in Kerman

The most important health advice to prevent Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is keeping hands clean by washing frequently and thoroughly with soap and water and refraining from kissing and shaking hands with pilgrims returning from infected areas. The MERS incubation period is 14 days, said Dr. Mahmoud Soroush Najafabadi, head of communicable disease management at the health ministry.

Pilgrims returning from hajj are also being screened at the country’s airports, he said.

Turkey and Qatar have the highest number of pilgrims and they have reported positive cases of MERS in their countries. In Iran, 1600 MERS suspected cases have been evaluated so far, but only 5 positive cases, in Kerman Province have been identified, IRNA reported.

Najafabadi also asked emergency personnel to adhere to self-care principles and to use masks while examining suspected patients.

MERS is a viral respiratory illness first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. It is caused by a corona virus called MERS-CoV. Most people who have been confirmed to have MERS-CoV infection developed severe acute respiratory problems. The symptoms are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. About 30% of people confirmed to have MERS-CoV infection have died.

 

Financialtribune.com