Source: http://www.arabnews.com/news/554486
Special quarantine units for MERS patients urged
JEDDAH: P.K. ABDUL GHAFOUR
Published ? Saturday 12 April 2014
The Ministry of Health should launch special emergency procedures to stop the spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus by setting up special quarantine facilities to treat suspected and infected people, says an expert.
?In light of the new outbreak of MERS cases we have to change the emergency plan and set up special camps to receive and isolate suspected cases,? said Mohammed Al-Harbi, a specialist at King Abdul Aziz Hospital, which saw the death of a male nurse from the virus.
Al-Harbi said the ministry has three options: To establish an isolation camp for all patients in one place; have isolation wards in every hospital; or set aside an entire hospital specifically to treat MERS cases.
?Taking suspected cases into hospitals in a haphazard manner will only lead to the spread of the disease,? he said.
He said MERS was initially found among the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases but was now affecting young people.
?This is a dangerous sign,? the specialist said...
Special quarantine units for MERS patients urged
JEDDAH: P.K. ABDUL GHAFOUR
Published ? Saturday 12 April 2014
The Ministry of Health should launch special emergency procedures to stop the spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus by setting up special quarantine facilities to treat suspected and infected people, says an expert.
?In light of the new outbreak of MERS cases we have to change the emergency plan and set up special camps to receive and isolate suspected cases,? said Mohammed Al-Harbi, a specialist at King Abdul Aziz Hospital, which saw the death of a male nurse from the virus.
Al-Harbi said the ministry has three options: To establish an isolation camp for all patients in one place; have isolation wards in every hospital; or set aside an entire hospital specifically to treat MERS cases.
?Taking suspected cases into hospitals in a haphazard manner will only lead to the spread of the disease,? he said.
He said MERS was initially found among the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases but was now affecting young people.
?This is a dangerous sign,? the specialist said...