Abu Dhabi: At least three of the 12 individuals recently infected by the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (Mers-CoV) in the emirate of Abu Dhabi have recovered, the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (Haad) announced on Sunday.
The three people healed without any medical intervention within 10 days of being infected, and are expected to be discharged soon, according to the Haad statement.
Haad said that it also expected the other infected people to get well soon. While admitted at hospitals, they are being tested daily to check the status of the infection.
Since testing positive for Mers-CoV during routine screenings, the individuals have been kept in isolation at a health care facility to limit the transmission of the virus.
A spate of Mers-CoV infections has been reported in the emirate since March, and there have been at least three deaths, including one Filipino paramedic and one 64-year-old Emirati who had had direct contact with camels. Among the infected patients are five other Filipino medics, as well as the 12 patients whose infections were reported over the weekend.
Since September 2012, Mers-CoV has infected 243 people worldwide, according to the latest update released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on April 17. Ninety-three of these people have died as a result of the infection. Common symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, pneumonia and kidney failure.
Health officials in the UAE have however said repeatedly that there is not yet any cause for concern due to Mers-CoV.
Low immunity
“We want people to be aware of the nature of Mers-CoV, and understand that the majority of infections in the UAE have occurred among people with low immunity, such as the elderly and those with chronic diseases. As there are so few cases around the world, health experts don’t yet understand everything about the virus. But children are one of the least affected groups, and this is definitely good news,” Dr Farida Al Hosani, manager of the communicable diseases department at Haad, earlier told Gulf News.
She added that the majority of infected people recover without medication within 10 to 14 days.
“Perhaps people believe that the virus is scary because they are not aware of all the cases of recovery,” Dr Farida added.
There is still no vaccine to protect against the virus, and its source is not known, although camels and bats have been pointed out as possible.
As general precautionary measures, Haad and the UAE Ministry of Health have urged frequent handwashing, and covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing. In addition, people are advised to wear masks at mass gatherings like Hajj and Umrah, and Haad distributed these at the airport before Hajj in 2013.
As yet, the WHO has also not implemented any trade or travel restrictions due to Mers-CoV.
