WHO Advises Asian Countries to Stay Vigilant Against MERS

The current form of MERS virus appears less infectious than originally thought, but the Asian countries have been advised to keep their guard against the deadly disease by WHO.

The current form of MERS virus appears less infectious than originally thought, but the Asian countries have been advised to keep their guard against the deadly disease by a World Health Organization expert on Thursday.

The Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) has already killed 287 people, said Mark Jacobs, WHO's director for communicable diseases in the Western Pacific.

High-frequency Oscillatory Ventilation may be Detrimental in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Early use of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in moderate-to-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome may increase in-hospital mortality

However the relatives of those infected have not been showing any signs of catching it, he added.

His comments come after the Philippines last week urged its large Muslim minority to reconsider plans to join the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which takes place in Saudi Arabia, until the threat from the virus has dissipated.

"A spread in our part of the world is small," Jacobs told reporters. "If the virus stays unchanged, then I think that what we have been seeing is what we will keep seeing."

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) - Causes Symptoms Treatment Prevention
MERS, a newly discovered respiratory disease, was recently reported in the Arabian region. MERS is caused by a virus similar to that causing common cold and other respiratory illnesses.

Later Thursday, the WHO emphasized in a statement that the risk to Asian countries remained small only if the virus remained in its current form.

"Given that it is still not known how MERS spreads to people, WHO cannot predict how the virus will spread," the statement read. "Therefore, it is important that health authorities stay vigilant."

Urbanization And Rising Respiratory Problems
Urbanization is not bad altogether. Undertaking the correct approaches during urban planning can avoid most of the environmental problems associated with it.

"Our understanding of the virus and the disease it causes is continuing to evolve," the statement continued, calling on all countries to "continue their surveillance for acute respiratory infections".

The WHO said 15 countries have reported MERS cases, with the virus widely circulating in the Arabian peninsula.

Top Facts on Asthma
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease in which your airways narrow, swell and produce extra mucus. Read Medindia’s facts on asthma.

Outside the Middle East, both the Philippines and neighbor Malaysia have reported cases of patients who apparently caught the virus after travelling there.

These people had not infected others in their countries, according to a WHO report.

"We haven't seen big outbreaks in a community or anything like that to suggest that it's easy for some in the general community to be infected, (but) obviously we are keeping a close eye on that and hope that would not be the case," Jacobs said.

While there was always a chance of the virus spreading in health care facilities treating infected patients, "the risk to almost everyone in the world is extremely low".

Jacobs advised Asians travelling to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj in October to take precautions, including proper hygiene and staying away from people exhibiting symptoms like coughing.

The WHO has not issued any travel or trade restrictions or entry screening related to MERS.

Source-AFP