WHO raises MERS coronavirus alarm in South-East Asia, including Bangladesh

The World Health Organisation has cautioned countries in South-East Asia against the “continuing risks of importing” the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus.

The alert came on Sunday after Thailand confirmed the disease in a traveler, the second such case in the country in the last seven months.

Bangladesh is also a member of the region that includes Bhutan, North Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

WHO, in a statement, says these countries “need to remain vigilant”.

Prof Mahmudur Rahman, Director of the Bangladesh government’s disease monitoring arm IEDCR, says there is no case in Bangladesh, but “we are always vigilant”.

“We have tested many suspected cases in recent months. We have a screening system at the airport and we can also monitor those who come from the Middle East”.

Thailand tested positive for MERS coronavirus in a 71-year -old national from Oman, who arrived in Bangkok for treatment on Jan 22.

He was admitted to a private hospital, and after the confirmation was transferred to the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Disease Institute.

Measures are being taken to trace all those who could have been come in contact with him during his journey to Thailand, and within Bangkok, WHO says.

“The new case of MERS CoV is a reminder of the continued risk of importation of the disease from countries where it still persists,” Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region, said.

“All countries need to further enhance surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections, focus on early diagnosis, and step up infection prevention and control procedures in health-care facilities to rapidly detect any case of importation and effectively prevent its spread”.

Earlier, on June 18 last year, another Omani national who arrived in Bangkok for treatment, tested positive for MERS CoV.

In the recent past, countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region have been reviewing and strengthening preparedness to respond to MERS CoV.

WHO has been advocating a strengthening of health systems and ensuring that strict infection control measures are in place in countries to respond to infectious diseases such as MERS CoV.

This virus typically shows symptoms that include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Pneumonia is common, but not always present. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, have also been reported.

It is generally a cause of concern during the Hajj season, when millions gather in Saudi Arabia.

WHO suggests covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, washing hands, and keeping a distance of one metre from other persons who have fever and breathing distress.