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

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  • #16
    Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

    Originally posted by jeffrey View Post
    I am now finding news sources, but they are saying nothing except what has been posted above.
    Originally posted by Emily View Post
    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.
    I find this to be a great question. Now they have to go through 500 people to see if any were exposed and also another question is if these people that are HCWs and know they have been exposed, why are they not being made to wear masks or something to prohibit the spread. Better yet, maybe they should stay wherever they are until 7 days before they get on a plane. IMO this ridiculous, how the US is handling this!

    Comment


    • #17
      Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

      MERS confirmed in Saudi health care working visiting Orlando

      Last Updated: Monday, May 12, 2014, 7:19 PM <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->

      ...
      Health officials said the 44-year-old health care worker was visiting family in Orlando. They said the man became sick while flying to the U.S. The trip included stops in London, Boston and Atlanta before arriving in Orlando on May 1.

      He was in Orlando almost a week before going to Dr. Phillips Hospital to be treated. While he was here, they said he did not leave his family's house and did not visit any theme parks or attractions.

      The patient is a health care worker from Saudi Arabia who may have been exposed to the virus at the hospital where he worked in his home country.
      "He did not have any cough before coming to the hospital (and) the symptoms were always muscle aches and chills," said Dr. Antonio Crespo, who treated the man at Dr. P. Phillips hospital.

      Crespo said the patient never was in critical condition and has been in isolation since his diagnosis.

      The hospital said 16 workers at the hospital and the man's family are being tested for MERS and monitored by the health department.

      They are being quarantined in their homes and they said no one has shown any symptoms so far.

      "They will be asked to stay home and to limit the activities and notify us of any symptoms of fever, cold, chills, cough, which are the symptoms of this virus," Crespo said.
      ...

      Health officials have confirmed a second U.S. case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) that has sickened hundreds.
      "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
      -Nelson Mandela

      Comment


      • #18
        Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

        Press Release

        <!--Contact Head-->For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 12, 2014
        Contact: CDC Media Relations
        (404) 639-3286


        <!--End Contact Head--><!--Content-->CDC announces second imported case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in the United States

        MERS case in traveler from Saudi Arabia hospitalized in Florida
        <!-- Inactivity related to chronic disease in adults with disabilities.
        Entire Infographic



        -->
        A second imported case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) was confirmed late night on May 11 in a traveler to the United States. This patient is a healthcare worker who resides and works in Saudi Arabia. This case is unlinked to the first U.S. imported case of MERS reported May 2 in Indiana. Despite this second imported case, the risk to the U.S. general public from MERS still remains very low. Both imported MERS cases are healthcare workers who recently worked in and traveled from Saudi Arabia.

        ?This second confirmed case of MERS in a person who worked in health care from an area of risk is not surprising,? said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. ?To continue to strengthen our own health security, we need to increase our global ability to support other countries to help them find and stop threats such as MERS promptly, and to prevent them whenever possible.?

        On May 1, the patient traveled by plane from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to London, England, to Boston, Massachusetts, to Atlanta, Georgia, and to Orlando, Florida. The patient reported feeling unwell during the flight from Jeddah to London and continued to feel unwell on subsequent flights with reported symptoms that include fever, chills and a slight cough. On May 9, the patient went to the emergency department of a hospital in Florida and was admitted the same day. The patient is isolated, being well cared for, and is currently doing well.

        Because of the patient?s symptoms and travel history, the Florida Department of Health officials tested the patient for MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the virus that causes MERS. Those tests were positive, and CDC confirmed MERS-CoV infection in the patient late last night.
        ?Given the dramatic increase in MERS cases in the Arabian Peninsula, we expected and are prepared for additional imported cases,? said Dr. Anne Schuchat, assistant surgeon general and director of CDC?s National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases. ?The reason for this increase in cases is not yet known, but public health investigations are ongoing, and we are pleased to have a team in Saudi Arabia supporting some of those efforts.?

        CDC and Florida health officials are not yet sure how the patient became infected with the virus. Exposure may have occurred in Saudi Arabia, where outbreaks of MERS-CoV infection are occurring. Officials also do not know at this time exactly how many people had close contact with the patient.

        Federal, state, and local health officials are taking action to minimize the risk of spread of the virus. The hospital is using standard, contact, and airborne isolation precautions, to avoid exposure to MERS-CoV within the hospital.

        As part of the prevention and control measures, officials have begun reaching out to healthcare professionals, family members, and others who had close contact with the patient to provide guidance about monitoring their health and recommending they see a healthcare provider for an evaluation. Public health officials are working with airlines to identify and notify U.S. travelers who may have been in close contact with the patient on any of the flights.

        ?The rapid identification and response to this case are a reflection of all of the work that CDC and partners have done over the past two years to prepare for MERS entering the United States,? said Schuchat.

        All reported cases of MERS have been linked to countries in the Arabian Peninsula. In some instances, the virus has spread from person to person through close contact, such as caring for or living with an infected person. However, there is currently no evidence of sustained spread of MERS-CoV in community settings. ?The risk to the U.S. general public from MERS still remains very low,? said Schuchat.

        While experts do not yet know exactly how this virus is spread, CDC advises Americans to help protect themselves from respiratory illnesses by washing hands often, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, avoiding touching their eyes, nose and/or mouth with unwashed hands, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.

        At this time, CDC does not recommend anyone change their travel plans. CDC advises people traveling to the Arabian Peninsula who work in a healthcare setting to follow CDC?s recommendations for infection control. Other travelers to the Arabian Peninsula should take general steps to protect their health. Anyone who develops fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, within 14 days after traveling from countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula should call ahead to a doctor and mention their recent travel.

        Background

        Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a virus that is new to humans and was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. So far, including this U.S. importation, there have been 538 confirmed cases of MERS in 14 countries. Most of these people developed severe acute respiratory illness, with fever, cough, and shortness of breath; 145 people died. Officials do not know where the virus came from or exactly how it spreads. There is no available vaccine or specific treatment recommended for the virus.

        ...
        "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
        -Nelson Mandela

        Comment


        • #19
          Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

          I will personally be on this tomorrow morning. Thanks to the Florida department of health for the press release immediately following the CDC media conference.

          I recently had a small surgical outpatient procedure at another hospital in Orlando. The level of cleanliness and patient infection control was something quite remarkable. Everything that touched me was new and 100&#37; disposable - except the bed - and that was covered with a disposable paper product. I believe the prevention protocols for drug resistant bacteria may be contributing to the control of viruses too. Hopefully.

          Due to this patient's extensive travel and community access while symptoms developed, we will soon see how truly transmissible this virus is in its present form.

          Please remember - there is no vaccine or drug for this disease.

          If you are feeling ill, and/or bleeding, and/or having trouble breathing, and/or have a high fever - seek medical help.

          Please call ahead to any emergency room, clinic, or doctor's office so they can prepare for you and protect other patients and workers in case you are infectious.

          See you tomorrow morning.

          Comment


          • #20
            Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

            A local television news channel reports that 16 people working at the Dr. Phillips hospital were sent to home isolation for 14 days. They are being monitored for the disease.

            Comment


            • #21
              Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

              The case shows the very low level of awareness among health care workers from Saudi Arabia: there is not another explaination for the behaviour of a HCW that - despite the huge knowledge on KSA situation and his/her personal experience of MERS cases at workplace - took several airplane without inform crews and/or wore a facial protection.

              A similar behaviour suggests that an awareness campaign should be initiated for HCWs from Middle East in order to avoid close contact with passengers and to direct these people on infectious diseases departments if symptomatic as they land in a foreign country.

              If indeed the case knew well the situation of MERS in his/her country (KSA) and failed to inform about the possible related illness, an investigation should be performed to clarify the behaviour.

              Malaysia, Greece, Philippines and Indiana exported MERS cases did not show ongoing transmission either in close contacts (HCWs, relatives) and in community.

              Premila Devi J, Noraini W, Norhayati R, Chee Kheong C, Badrul AS, Zainah S, Fadzilah K, Hirman I, Lokman Hakim S, Noor Hisham A. Laboratory-confirmed case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in Malaysia: preparedness and response, April 2014. Euro Surveill. 2014;19(18):pii=20797. Available online: http://www.eurosurveillance.org/View...rticleId=20797


              On 14 April 2014, the first laboratory-confirmed case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection was reported in Malaysia in a man in his mid-fifties, who developed pneumonia with respiratory distress, after returning from a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. The case succumbed to his illness three days after admission at a local hospital. The follow-up of 199 close contacts identified through contact tracing and vigilant surveillance did not result in detecting any other confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection.

              Comment


              • #22
                Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida

                From: FluTrackers <flutrackers@earthlink.net>
                To: Dain Weister <Dain_Weister@DOH.state.fl.us>
                Subject: A couple of questions about the coronavirus MERS situation in Orlando
                Date: May 13, 2014 7:02 AM

                Good Morning Dain!

                A couple of things....answers for publication on FluTrackers...

                1) Do you have the flight information for the coronavirus patient? At least the arriving flight from Atlanta?

                2) Can you point me to any Florida state coronavirus information posted online in Spanish?

                3) Is there an email hot list about this situation that you can add me to so that I can receive the latest press releases etc.?

                4) Are there any suspected cases hospitalized or isolated yet besides the patient, his family, and the health care workers who had contact? If yes, can I have a general description please.

                5) Do you have any pertinent information to disseminate? i.e. What's the latest?

                Comment


                • #23
                  Re: USA - CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case - this one in Florida - Media conference today at 2 pm EDT

                  Originally posted by Giuseppe Michieli View Post
                  The case shows the very low level of awareness among health care workers from Saudi Arabia: there is not another explaination for the behaviour of a HCW that - despite the huge knowledge on KSA situation and his/her personal experience of MERS cases at workplace - took several airplane without inform crews and/or wore a facial protection.

                  A similar behaviour suggests that an awareness campaign should be initiated for HCWs from Middle East in order to avoid close contact with passengers and to direct these people on infectious diseases departments if symptomatic as they land in a foreign country.

                  If indeed the case knew well the situation of MERS in his/her country (KSA) and failed to inform about the possible related illness, an investigation should be performed to clarify the behaviour.
                  ...
                  "This patient is a healthcare worker who resides and works in Saudi Arabia. ..

                  On May 1, the patient traveled by plane from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to London, England, to Boston, Massachusetts, to Atlanta, Georgia, and to Orlando, Florida. The patient reported feeling unwell during the flight from Jeddah to London and continued to feel unwell on subsequent flights with reported symptoms that include fever, chills and a slight cough. On May 9, the patient went to the emergency department of a hospital in Florida and was admitted the same day. The patient is isolated, being well cared for, and is currently doing well..."

                  "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                  -Nelson Mandela

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Re: (Orlando case) MERS Search: Disease Detectives Beat Bushes for Virus

                    Response in red:


                    To: "flutrackers@earthlink.net" <flutrackers@earthlink.net>
                    Cc: "Weister, Dain" <Dain.Weister@flhealth.gov>
                    Subject: FW: A couple of questions about the coronavirus MERS situation in Orlando
                    Date: May 13, 2014 10:17 AM
                    Good morning,

                    Here are the responses to your questions. Please let us know if you need anything else.




                    1) Do you have the flight information for the coronavirus patient? At least the arriving flight from Atlanta? We do not have this information.

                    2) Can you point me to any Florida state coronavirus information posted online in Spanish? CDC has MERS information in Spanish on their website. On our health department website we will be posting the press release in Spanish later today, visit www.orchd.com

                    3) Is there an email hot list about this situation that you can add me to so that I can receive the latest press releases etc.? We have an e-mail distribution list for media members to receive all of our press releases. Would you like to be included on that list? What e-mail would you like to include, flutrackers@earthlink.net ?

                    4) Are there any suspected cases hospitalized or isolated yet besides the patient, his family, and the health care workers who had contact? If yes, can I have a general description please. No, we have information on only the one case that was confirmed. The patient is doing well. Close contacts of the confirmed case such as household members and health care workers are being tested.

                    5) Do you have any pertinent information to disseminate? i.e. What's the latest? There will be a press conference today at 11:00 a.m. in the atriums of Dr. Phillips Hospital.



                    Mirna Chamorro
                    Public Information Officer
                    Florida Department of Health in Orange & Seminole Counties

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      Re: USA - Florida: CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case

                      From: Dagenais, Katie M. [mailto:Katharine.Dagenais@orlandohealth.com]
                      Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2014 9:12 AM
                      Subject: UPDATED MEDIA ALERT (includes call-in #): Press Conference @ 11am at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital

                      Hello everyone,

                      Orlando Health officials will hold a press conference at 11:00am TODAY to provide an update on the first MERS-CoV case in Florida. For those who cannot attend, a call-in number is included below.

                      LOCATION:
                      Dr. P. Phillips Hospital
                      9400 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando, FL 32819
                      Classroom
                      11:00am
                      Call in # for offsite media:
                      Dial in number: 866-434-5269
                      Passcode:1347222#

                      MEDIA PARKING:
                      Old Main Entrance off of Hillenmeyer Way
                      (from Turkey Lake Road, turn on to Hillenmeyer Way, at the second stop sign turn right into the circle drive)

                      MEDIA ACCESSIBILITY:
                      The press conference will take place in the Dr. P. Phillips Hospital classroom, located just inside the old main entrance to the hospital.
                      Media will be able to set up live/sat trucks in the circle drive and run cable into the classroom if needed.

                      ONSITE CONTACT:
                      Katie Dagenais, Orlando Health Media Relations
                      407-242-0305 (cell)
                      Katie.dagenais@orlandohealth.com

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        Re: USA - Florida: CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case

                        1st MERS case in Orlando: Patient stable, in good spirits

                        ...
                        By Marni Jameson, Orlando Sentinel
                        11:40 a.m. EDT, May 13, 2014
                        ...
                        The patient, who works in a Saudi Arabia hospital, arrived in Orlando on May 1. He went to ORMC on May 5 with a friend who had a medical issue not related to MERS. The patient then sought treatment for fever, muscle aches and diarrhea at the Dr. P Phillips ER on May 8. A trio of laboratory tests confirmed MERS.

                        Fifteen hospital workers at Dr. P. Phillips and five at ORMC had contact with the patient. Two workers from Dr. Phillips have developed symptoms; one has been admitted to the hospital and the other is awaiting test results. The rest have been asked to stay home for 14 days and monitor their symptoms.
                        ...
                        "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                        -Nelson Mandela

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Re: Media Advisory - WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome #Coronavirus #MERS - Tuesday, May 13, 2014

                          FluTrackers "Storify" of coronavirus MERS news conference. Please read from the bottom up:

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 1m
                          @lisaschnirring Dr. Kevin Sherin, Director of the Florida Department of Health in Orange County

                          Helen Branswell @HelenBranswell &#183; 13m
                          2nd #MERS case diagnosed in the US worked in a Jeddah hospital that treated #MERS cases. Wonder why he didn't put 2 + 2 together sooner?

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 24m
                          Initial test on this patient was a swab and was inconclusive for #coronavirus #MERS so sent sputum sample on Sat to CDC & then confirmed Sun

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 26m
                          Health official: preparing for more extensive testing in case any contacts test positive.

                          Helen Branswell @HelenBranswell &#183; 31m
                          RT @kakape: Jeeez, can everybody on the line for the Orlando press conference mute their line? *6

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 30m
                          Health official says Orlando may see more exported cases from Saudi Arabia. All hospitals need to be on alert for this.

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 32m
                          Health officials say this patient was not coughing at time of visit to hospital waiting rooms. Hopefully this lessened exposure to others.

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 34m
                          Lots of questions about exposure timing....people in waiting rooms...health department is contacting them....approx. 100 people.

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 37m
                          The patient was hospitalized at Dr. Phillips hospital on May 8 evening and 15 health care workers are monitored there.

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 37m
                          The patient visited with a friend Orlando Regional hospital on May 5th and 5 health care workers are monitored there.

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 39m
                          The 2 hospitals are Dr. Phillips hospital in South Orlando and Orlando Regional Hospital in downtown Orlando.

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 39m
                          Now clarifying that a total of 20 health care workers in 2 hospitals are being monitored for possible #coronavirus #MERS - 1 is hospitalized

                          Helen Branswell @HelenBranswell &#183; 45m
                          2 healthcare workers at Orlando hospital who had contact with 2nd #MERS case have flu-like symptoms.Waiting for test results.

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 44m
                          2 of the Dr. Phillips hospital team members have flu symptoms. 1 is on home isolation and 1 is hospitalized.

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 46m
                          These team members are all doing well and are on furlough for 14 days with daily contact.

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 46m
                          Between the 2 hospitals approximately 30 teams members have been furloughed with pay.

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 47m
                          Also, this patient visited ORMC on May 5th with a friend and 5 contacts have been identified there for testing and home isolation.

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 48m
                          Doctor says hospital routinely practices emergency infectious disease drills. Employed this learning here.

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 50m
                          Everyone in contact with patient until isolation was identified and tested incl. family members.

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 50m
                          Patient is now doing well. Still has slight fever. Slight cough.

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 51m
                          diarrhea, chills at that time. Immediately due to travel history was suspected #coronavirus #MERS - May 8 evening.

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 52m
                          He began is journey to Orlando on April 30. He had some muscle aches at first. Arrived in Orlando May 1. He did not feel well. Fever, ...

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 54m
                          Patient is a 44 year old man - health care worker, resident of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 57m
                          #USA - Florida #coronavirus #MERS news conference starting in Orlando...

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 1h
                          #USA - Florida - Call in info for offsite media - #coronavirus #MERS http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/sho...7&postcount=25

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 2h
                          #USA - Florida #coronavirus #MERS case update - today a media conference at 11:00 am at Dr. Phillips Hospital atrium http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/sho...9&postcount=24

                          FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers &#183; 2h
                          If #coronavirus #MERS has been exported into your town - you probably think it is a public health emergency. @WHO

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Re: USA - Florida: CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case

                            Two Orlando health workers ill after exposure to MERS patient- hospital

                            <TIME class=pub-date datetime="2014-05-13T10:47:14-05:00" pubdate="">Tuesday, May 13, 2014 10:47 a.m. CDT</TIME>
                            <!-- Case for multiple images/videos with thumbnails -->
                            (Reuters) -...

                            Officials at the Dr P. Phillips Hospital in Orlando said on Tuesday the two healthcare workers were exposed to the patient in the emergency department before it became clear that the patient might have the Middle East Respiratory Virus or MERS...

                            CNBC Utilities Page, Politics, Markets, Stock markets, Commodity markets, Currency markets, Bonds, US Top News and Analysis, US Homepage, stocks, Make It, Currencies, Futures & Commodities, business news
                            "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                            -Nelson Mandela

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              Re: USA - Florida: CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case

                              Source: News13, full page: http://www.mynews13.com/content/news...a.html?cid=rss


                              (...)

                              Crespo said two team members complained of flu-like symptoms. One was admitted into the hospital, but was said to be doing well.

                              (...)

                              -
                              ------

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Re: USA - Florida: CDC confirms 2nd coronavirus MERS case

                                Two Orlando health workers ill after exposure to MERS patient

                                Tue May 13, 2014 12:29pm EDT
                                ...
                                Hospital and local health officials said at a press conference that the MERS patient, also a healthcare worker, had made a visit last week to the Orlando Regional Medical Center to accompany another person who was having a medical procedure. The MERS patient was symptomatic at the time, but did not seek treatment.
                                ...
                                Hospital officials said they are awaiting test results to determine whether any of the exposed hospital workers have MERS.
                                ...
                                "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                                -Nelson Mandela

                                Comment

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