USA - Florida: Man, 44, healthcare worker from Saudi Arabia, confirmed coronavirus MERS case - improving

[Giuseppe]

Some media on Twitter are reporting that Florida Health Authorities have reported an imported case of MERS-CoV. More to follow.

[sharon sanders]

Re: Florida, media reports an imported MERS-CoV case

From: "Media@cdc.gov (CDC)" <sohco@CDC.GOV> [Add to Address Book]
To: MMWR-MEDIA@LISTSERV.CDC.GOV
Subject: CDC Media Advisory: CDC announces second imported case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in the United States
Date: May 12, 2014 11:22 AM
Media Advisory
For Immediate Release
Monday, May 12, 2014

Contact: CDC Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

CDC announces second imported case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in the United States


WHAT: CDC and Florida Department of Health officials are investigating the second case of MERS-CoV infection in the United States. MERS-CoV, a virus relatively new to humans, was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. On May 2, 2014 CDC reported the first case of MERS in the United States.


WHO: Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., Director, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Anne Schuchat, M.D. (RADM, USPHS) Assistant Surgeon General, United States Public Health Service; Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases

John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS, FCCP
Florida’s State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health

WHEN: Monday, May 12, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. ET

DIAL-IN: Media: 888-795-0855
Non-Media: 877-546-1574
INTERNATIONAL: 630-395-0427


* Please dial in 10 to 15 minutes before the start of the press conference.


Important Instructions
If you would like to ask a question during the call, press *1 on your touchtone phone. Press *2 to withdraw your question. You may queue up at any time. You will hear a tone to indicate your question is pending.

Transcript
A transcript of this media availability will be available following the briefing at the CDC web site at www.cdc.gov/media.

[sharon sanders]

Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

I spoke to Dain Weister who is the Florida Department of Health representative in the Orlando area and he knows about the case. The Florida Dept of Health is releasing the information at the 2pm media conference so he did not give me any information at this time.

FluTrackers will be participating in this news conference and live tweeting it.

[Giuseppe]

Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

It's curious this way to 'offer' information from Health Authorities!

I wonder whether MSMs is doing properly its job...

[jeffrey]

Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

I am now finding news sources, but they are saying nothing except what has been posted above.

[sharon sanders]

Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

From: FluTrackers <flutrackers@earthlink.net>
To: Dain Weister <Dain_Weister@DOH.state.fl.us>
Subject: From Sharon Sanders - coronavirus MERS....
Date: May 12, 2014 12:25 PM

Hi Dain!

Nice to speak to you again today.

At this time I have 1 comment. At the last joint media conference CDC/Indiana state, the authorities refused to give a general location for the case. I think this was a mistake. The general location should be disclosed. There was quite a bit of building angst online until the local county authorities and hospital began to issue press releases with a location and general description of the situation. I recommend disclosing this at the initial meeting today. As you know people fear the unknown. The known - they can deal with.

[sharon sanders]

Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

[Emily]

Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Second <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=&#37;23MERS&amp;src=hash">#MERS</a> case is a health care provider who lives and works in Saudi Arabia. Flew to Florida on May 1. Hospital on May 8. Isolated.</p>&mdash; Andrew Katz (@katz) <a href="https://twitter.com/katz/statuses/465916475753365504">May 12, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>CDC on flight path of second <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23MERS&amp;src=hash">#MERS</a> case, now in Florida hospital: Jeddah to London to Boston to Atlanta to Orlando</p>&mdash; Andrew Katz (@katz) <a href="https://twitter.com/katz/statuses/465917520890040320">May 12, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Florida's public health dept. says <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23MERS&amp;src=hash">#MERS</a> case was found in Orange County</p>&mdash; Andrew Katz (@katz) <a href="https://twitter.com/katz/statuses/465919027354042368">May 12, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>CDC says the unnamed Florida hospital will provide information about new <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23MERS&amp;src=hash">#MERS</a> patient later this afternoon</p>&mdash; Andrew Katz (@katz) <a href="https://twitter.com/katz/statuses/465920047140327425">May 12, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Florida public health dept.: new <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23MERS&amp;src=hash">#MERS</a> patient was visiting family in Orlando, did not visit any theme parks before hospital.</p>&mdash; Andrew Katz (@katz) <a href="https://twitter.com/katz/statuses/465922205382344704">May 12, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>More CDC: we do believe second US MERS patient--a healthcare worker--was working at a Saudi facility which was taking care of MERS patients.</p>&mdash; Charlie Kaye (@CharlieKayeCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/CharlieKayeCBS/statuses/465921000971206656">May 12, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[sharon sanders]

Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

FluTrackers Storify of the Florida Coronavirus MERS Media Conference.

Please read from the bottom up:


FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 1m
Comment: Apparently the Florida #coronavirus #MERS patient was in the community with increasing symptoms for 7 days before hospitalization.

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 3m
Media conference is over.

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 3m
Frieden: Need meticulous infection control in hospitals & a furlough of health care workers who had contact. #coronavirus #MERS

Helen Branswell @HelenBranswell ? 7m
.@CDCgov says with #MERS incubation period. people who had contact with 2nd US #MERS case probably would be sick by now if they're infected

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 6m
Approx.150 travelers have been screened with CDC #coronavirus #MERS test kits and have tested negative except the Indiana and Florida cases

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 8m
Armstrong: Family of #Florida #coronavirus #MERS case is on home isolation.

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 10m
Schuchat:: Not providing flight information on Florida #coronavirus #MERS patient.

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 11m
Schuchat:: 20 states are helping in contacting 500 people on 3 US planes. #coronavirus #MERS

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 13m
Florida #coronavirus #MERS patient is "doing well". Became sick on 1st flight. Hospitalized 7 days later.

Helen Branswell @HelenBranswell ? 16m
2nd US #MERS case: US tracing +500 people who were on 3 US flights with the case; UK officials tracing passengers on Jeddah-UK flight

PublicHealthEngland @PHE_uk ? 17m
PHE advised of second case of #MERS detected on flight through #London https://www.gov.uk/government/news/s...through-london ?

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 18m
Schuchat:Approx.500 people who were on flights n US r being contacted-urged 2 call medical provider BEFORE going 2 hospital coronavirus MERS

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 21m
Armstrong: Florida patient was in Orlando to visit family. Did not visit tourist areas. #coronavirus #MERS

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 22m
FluTrackers #coronavirus #MERS case list with all MoH announced = 584, total Saudi = 497 - @WHO is behind http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=205075 ?

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 28m
Schuchat: Believe Florida patient was working in a facility in #Saudi that did treat #coronavirus #MERS cases

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 30m
Armstrong: Florida hospital will be issuing a press release with more information later this afternoon. #coronavirus #MERS

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 34m
Frieden: Says no genetic changes in #coronavirus #MERS virus from Indiana case.

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 35m
Armstrong: Confirms case is in Orange county Florida. More info later this afternoon. #coronavirus #MERS

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 36m
Schuchat: Asking medical establishment to look for clusters of respiratory patients of unknown causes. #coronavirus #MERS

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 37m
Schuchat: USA Likely to have more importations of #coronavirus #MERS cases

Helen Branswell @HelenBranswell ? 41m
2nd US #MERS cases: was on 4 flights en route to Orlando, FLA from Saudi Arabia. That means LOTS of work tracing contacts.

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 41m
Schuchat: Flights from Jeddah -> London -> Boston -> Atlanta -> Orlando. #coronavirus #MERS

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 42m
Schuchat; Florida case is not linked to the Indiana case. #coronavirus #MERS

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 43m
Schuchat: The Florida patient lives and works in #Saudi Arabia #coronavirus #MERS

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 44m
Frieden: Contact tracing on this Florida patient are ongoing. CDC group in #Saudi now. #coronavirus #MERS

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 46m
Frieden: Patient traveled to USA on May 1, experienced symptoms and hospitalized on May 8-#coronavirus #MERS confirmed May 11

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 47m
Frieden: 2nd imported #coronavirus #MERS case is a health care worker from #Saudi Arabia hospitalized in Florida

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 48m
Tom Frieden, M.D,, Anne Schuchat, M.D. - & John H. Armstrong, MD (Florida Dept of Health) are today's presenters #coronavirus #MERS

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 49m
Dr. Lyon-Daniel making introductions ...

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 55m
#USA - @CDCgov and #Florida Department of Health @HealthyFla joint news conference starting shortly #coronavirus #MERS

Florida Dept. Health @HealthyFla ? 1h
Public health officials to hold conference call with media regarding MERS-CoV today at 2pm ET: http://goo.gl/NHWPKX

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 2h
#EEUU - En #Florida - caso de #coronavirus #MERS - conferencia de hoy los medios de comunicaci?n a las 2 pm EDT http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=223201 ?

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 2h
#?tats-Unis-Minist?re de la sant? de la Floride ?tudient le deuxi?me cas d'infection #coronavirus #MERS http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=223200 ? @Diane_Morin

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 3h
@HelenBranswell Looks like only hospitalized cases. If it happens again tomorrow, it is a trend.

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 3h
We are in contact with the Florida Department of Health and will be attending today's #coronavirus #MERS news conference

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 3h
#USA - @CDCgov confirms 2nd case of #coronavirus #MERS - in Florida - media conference at 2pm EDT http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/sho...d=1#post534695 ?

[Giuseppe]

Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

[Source: Public Health England, full page: (LINK). Edited.]


Press release

Second case of MERS-CoV detected on flight through London

Organisation: Public Health England / Page history: Published <ABBR>12 May 2014</ABBR> / Topic: Public health


PHE advised of a case of MERS-CoV in a person flying from flying from Jeddah to the USA and transiting through London on 1 May 2014.

Public Health England (<ABBR>PHE</ABBR>) was today (12 May 2014) advised of a case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (<ABBR>MERS-CoV</ABBR>) in a person flying from Jeddah to the USA and transiting through London on Thursday 1 May 2014.

The passenger was on Saudi Airlines flight 113 from Jeddah to London, and transferred at Heathrow for onward travel to the USA, where they were later confirmed positive for <ABBR>MERS-CoV</ABBR>.

This is the second incident involving a passenger transiting via Heathrow, following a case of <ABBR>MERS-CoV</ABBR> in the US from a passenger who travelled from Riyadh to Chicago and transited through London on Thursday 24 April 2014.

Follow up with passengers on that flight found no cases of <ABBR>MERS-CoV</ABBR>.

Risk of transmission is considered extremely low but as a precautionary measure, <ABBR>PHE</ABBR> is working with the airline to be able to contact UK passengers who were sitting in the vicinity of the affected passenger to provide health information.

Any UK based passengers travellers on flight SV113 on 1 May who have since become unwell or experienced respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath, are advised to seek medical advice.

The period between exposure and when symptoms might develop (the incubation period) for <ABBR>MERS-CoV</ABBR> is currently considered to be up to 14 days.

Any illness that passengers might experience more than 14 days after the flight (i.e. starting on or after Wednesday 14 May), would not be considered to be related.

<ABBR>MERS-CoV</ABBR> is a new type of coronavirus, first identified in a Middle Eastern citizen in 2012.

Although cases continue to be reported from the Middle East with an increase in reported cases in recent weeks, no new cases of <ABBR>MERS-CoV</ABBR> have been detected in the UK since the cases linked to the Middle East in February 2013.

Professor Nick Phin, Head of Respiratory Diseases for Public Health England said:

??As with the incident earlier this month, the risk is very low. We will be following up with any UK passengers who were sitting in the vicinity of the passenger with <ABBR>MERS-CoV</ABBR>, as a precautionary measure.

??Any UK based travellers who become unwell with a fever, cough or shortness of breath within 14 days of being in the Middle East, should make sure they call their doctor and tell them where they have travelled.

??Although the source of <ABBR>MERS-CoV</ABBR> is currently unknown, there is growing evidence of the possible role of camels in transmitting <ABBR>MERS-CoV</ABBR> to humans. We advise travellers, particularly those with underlying or chronic medical conditions, to avoid contact with camels in the Middle East. All travellers should practice good hand and respiratory hygiene to reduce the risk of respiratory illness.??


Notes to editors

1. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (<ABBR>MERS-CoV</ABBR>) was initially identified in a patient with severe respiratory symptoms in September 2012.
   • Following its emergence, cases have continued to occur, primarily from within KSA and the UAE.
   • However, cases have been imported to several European countries (France, Germany, Italy, UK, Greece) as well as other parts of the Middle East (Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman) and the rest of the world (Malaysia, Philippines, Tunisia).
   • For more information, visit <ABBR>PHE</ABBR>?s <A href="http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/MERSCoV/"><ABBR>MERS-CoV</ABBR> webpages
   
   
2. Public Health England?s mission is to protect and improve the nation?s health and to address inequalities through working with national and local government, the NHS, industry and the voluntary and community sector.
   • <ABBR>PHE</ABBR> is an operationally autonomous executive agency of the Department of Health. www.gov.uk/phe Follow us on Twitter @PHE_uk

Infections press office

<ABBR>PHE</ABBR> press office ? infections, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, Emailinfections-pressoffice@phe.gov.uk, Phone 020 8327 7901, Out of hours 020 8200 4400


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[sharon sanders]

Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

FluTrackers is based, and I live, in the Orlando area. So you can be assured that I will find out the details. My children live here.

My initial feelings are:

Why the hell has the Saudi government been dragging their feet about this for 2 years?

Coronavirus MERS is not so easily transmitted at this time. The cases we have been able to document had direct close contact with either a camel, camel products, or a human case. Hopefully the travelers and most of the exposures in the Orlando area were distant. Hopefully the family is ok since the patient was symptomatic for 7 days before seeking help at a hospital.

This is really irritating.

[Pathfinder]

Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

Department of Health Office of Communications 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A-04 • Tallahassee, FL 32399-1705 PHONE: 850/245-4111 • FAX 850/488-6495 www.FloridaHealth.gov TWITTER:HealthyFLA FACEBOOK:FLDepartmentofHealth YOUTUBE: fldoh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: DOH Communications
May 12, 2014 (850) 245-4111

HEALTH OFFICIALS CONFIRM FIRST MERS-CoV CASE IN FLORIDA

Florida Department of Health working with CDC and Hospital Officials

 Questions from the Central Florida media will be addressed this afternoon by health officials and hospital representatives at the office of the Florida Department of Health in Orange County located at 6101 Lake Ellenor Drive, Orlando.

 The information line for the public at the Florida Department of Health in Orange County is 407-858-1490.
 Information from the CDC for the public is available by calling 800-232-4636.

Tallahassee – The Florida Department of Health today confirmed the first Florida case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in a patient at an Orlando hospital.

"The Florida Department of Health is working closely with hospital officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure appropriate care of the patient and protect the health of all residents and visitors in Florida," said Dr. John Armstrong, State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health. "There is no broad risk to the health of the general public."

"The Florida Department of Health in Orange County is taking all necessary steps to protect and inform the public," said Dr. Kevin Sherin, Director for the Florida Department of Health in Orange County. "Our office has set up an information line to address any questions and we will continue to work closely with the hospital to ensure the safety of our community."

"The patient is in good condition and is improving," said Antonio Crespo, MD, Infectious Disease Specialist and Chief Quality Officer for Dr. P. Phillips Hospital. "We are taking every precaution, but believe the risk of transmission from this patient is very low since his symptoms were mild and he was not coughing when he arrived at the hospital."
The patient is visiting the United States from Saudi Arabia. The patient first flew to London and then through Boston and Atlanta, arriving in Orlando on May 1. The patient was hospitalized on May 9 and was placed in isolation once MERS-CoV was suspected. Efforts are underway to make contact with any individuals who had close contact with the patient during travel or in the Orlando area. The patient remains in stable condition and is receiving appropriate care.

MERS-CoV infection is a viral respiratory illness that was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. MERS-CoV transmission has occurred in hospital settings, but there is no evidence of sustained spread in communities. How the virus emerged is unknown. There is no available vaccine or specific treatment for the virus.

Symptoms of MERS-CoV are similar to those of the flu and include:
 Congestion
...
http://newsroom.doh.state.fl.us/wp-c...in-Florida.pdf

[sharon sanders]

Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

This press release by the hospital says the patient was hospitalized on May 9. The media conference reported May 8.

[sharon sanders]

Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

Ok - I am going to say what I am personally doing about this:

THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE.

1) I have told some of my immediate family. The rest will know tonight.

2) I am recommending to them that they WASH THEIR HANDS 24/7 and carry wipes and gel with them. Use these in public restrooms to maintain a strong level of personal cleanliness.

3) I am recommending that when in public they stand about 4 to 5 feet away from other people, if possible.

4) I advise the above frequently, and, in fact, distribute little presents of soap, gel, wipes...to point that my family is sick of me! lol

5) We are not going to alter our daily routines of work, school, etc. Wipe down work desk area. Use sanitizer/wash hands after using gasoline pump handle at gas station. Same with grocery cart.

6) I am going to wipe down various surfaces in the house more often: refrigerator door handle, toilet handle, bathroom knobs, computer keyboards, etc. etc.

7) I will be watching for any respiratory symptoms or chronic headaches.



An important request was made today.

If you are sick and suspect coronavirus MERS:

DO NOT GO TO THE HOSPITAL, CLINIC, or DOCTOR'S OFFICE UNANNOUNCED. CALL FIRST SO THEY CAN PREPARE FOR YOU.

It appears that no one, besides the initial patient, was sickened in the Indiana coronavirus event last week, so I do not expect any kind of wide outbreak here.

--------------------

All of the above are good hygiene practice with the declining effectiveness of antibiotics. We all need to be more cleaner, more often.

[Emily]

Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

Does anyone know why CDC did not order temperatures to be taken of anyone returning from a visit to Saudi Arabia that included work or illness related contact with a hospital there - especially after the Indiana case?

Fever/malaise has been experienced several days prior to onset of respiratory symptoms.