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

[Giuseppe]

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

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)ii=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.

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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?

 

[Pathfinder]

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

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.
...

"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..."

http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/p0512-US-MERS.html

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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

 

[Pathfinder]

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

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.
...
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/health/os-mers-orlando-ccase-20140513,0,5560203.story

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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 · 1m
@lisaschnirring Dr. Kevin Sherin, Director of the Florida Department of Health in Orange County

Helen Branswell @HelenBranswell · 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 · 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 · 26m
Health official: preparing for more extensive testing in case any contacts test positive.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers · 46m
Between the 2 hospitals approximately 30 teams members have been furloughed with pay.

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers · 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 · 48m
Doctor says hospital routinely practices emergency infectious disease drills. Employed this learning here.

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

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers · 50m
Patient is now doing well. Still has slight fever. Slight cough.

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

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

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

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers · 1h
#USA - Florida - Call in info for offsite media - #coronavirus #MERS http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showpost.php?p=534817&postcount=25 …

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers · 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/showpost.php?p=534809&postcount=24 …

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

 

[Pathfinder]

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

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...

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101668603

 

[Giuseppe]

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

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

Source: News13, full page: http://www.mynews13.com/content/new...es/cfn/2014/5/13/mers_in_florida.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.

(...)

-
------

 

[Pathfinder]

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

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.
...
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/13/us-usa-health-mers-idUSKBN0DT1FV20140513

 

[Pathfinder]

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

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

Two Florida workers awaiting MERS test results after contact with second case

Associated Press 1:45 p.m. EDT May 13, 2014
...
Two workers at Dr. Phillips Hospital, who were not identified, have shown flu-like symptoms recent days. One of them was sent home, and the other has been hospitalized in isolation. Both are awaiting test results that could come later this week. Crespo said MERS has been shown to have a 14-day incubation period.
...
Crespo said the Saudi resident spent most of his time in Orlando at the home he was staying at, and he didn't visit any of the area's tourist attractions.

The 44-year-old patient still has a low-grade fever and is being treated in isolation at Dr. Phillips Hospital.
...
The White House said Tuesday that President Barack Obama had been briefed on the MERS cases in the U.S.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Obama's team is watching the situation very closely and that the Centers for Disease Control is coordinating responses along with Florida officials.

http://www.floridatoday.com/story/l...sults-after-contact-with-second-case/9040391/

 

[Pathfinder]

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

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

Officials investigate MERS case in Florida

By Elizabeth Landau and Ashley Hayes CNN
POSTED: 02:05 PM EDT May 13, 2014 UPDATED: 02:20 PM EDT May 13, 2014
...
One health care worker in Orlando began showing symptoms 72 hours after exposure to the MERS patient but did not meet criteria for admission and was sent home, said Dr. Antonio Crespo, an infectious disease specialist at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, where the MERS patient is being treated. The health care worker will be monitored and seems to be improving, Crespo said.

The other one, whose symptoms began 24 hours after exposure, was admitted to the same hospital, officials said Tuesday at a press conference.

"We're just waiting for the results from the testing that was done yesterday to decide about discharge," Crespo said.
...
http://www.wsbt.com/news/health/Officials-investigate-MERS-case-in-Florida/25955472

 

[Pathfinder]

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

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

Hospital Workers Exposed to MERS Virus Awaiting Test Results

KATIE MOISSE
Tuesday, May 13, 2014

A man with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome may have exposed 100 people to the deadly MERS virus at two Florida hospitals, health officials said today.

At least 20 hospital workers who were in contact with the man at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital and Orlando Regional Medical Center have been placed in home isolation...
...
An estimated 80 other people who may have been exposed to the virus in waiting rooms at the two hospitals have also been contacted. The infected man was not wearing a mask despite his respiratory symptoms and a fever as high as 102 degrees, and did not inform hospital staff that he worked at a hospital in Saudi Arabia that treated MERS patients until after his arrival, officials said.
...
The results of MERS testing for the 20 exposed healthcare workers are expected Wednesday or Thursday. If any tests come back positive, MERS testing will be offered to other community members that may have been exposed.
...
Family members of the Orlando MERS patient have also been placed in home isolation and are awaiting test results, officials said. Another 500 people who shared three U.S.-bound flights with him have also been contacted.
...
http://abc7news.com/news/hospital-workers-exposed-to-mers-virus-awaiting-test-results/57013/

 

[Giuseppe]

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

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

Most of airplane contacts are near the end of the maximum known incubation period (2-14 days), so an illness should develop AFTER the expiration of this time would likely be result of other conditions.

For local Florida contacts the incubation period will expire around May 20, so that is important for those involved to screen carefully health situation.

Indiana patient did not cause tertiary transmission and this may be of some relief, although the individual patient infectivity may be variable (ie: super-spreaders).

Importantly, every additional case should be regarded as tertiary, since the patient caught the virus from another human at workplace...

 

[Treyfish]

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

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

....The U.S. Transportation Security Administration will post CDC advisories at more than 20 U.S. airports to alert travelers about the virus.
Although there are no recommendations to change travel plans, the signs will advise travelers to the Arabian Peninsula to avoid contact with sick people and wash their hands often. They should contact a doctor if they develop symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath and coughing, the CDC said.
"We think it's really critical to avoid overreacting in the community but also avoid under-reacting in the health care environment," Schuchat told CNN. "The reason for the signage is so that we can promptly identify potential cases so that they can be separated from other people."...:tiphat:http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/13/health/mers-florida/index.html

 

[Treyfish]

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

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

...At least 20 medical workers from 2 facilities are undergoing tests for infection and more quarantines are expected.
To make matters worse, ABC News reported:
An estimated 80 other people who may have been exposed to the virus in waiting rooms at the two hospitals have also been contacted. The infected man was not wearing a mask despite his respiratory symptoms and a fever as high as 102 degrees, and did not inform hospital staff that he worked at a hospital in Saudi Arabia that treated MERS patients until after his arrival, officials said...:tiphat:http://intellihub.com/florida-resid...t-least-80-made-contact/#.U3KXechTBzA.twitter

 

[Treyfish]

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

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

:tiphat:https://twitter.com/ICUStat/status/466349039857205248/photo/1

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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

I know that this region of the country is considered high risk for disasters so the public health infrastructure routinely drills and prepares for exactly this type of disease event. I believe this preparation has been going on for about 15 years.

I am hoping that this long term community preparation will pay off now.

The situation is what it is.

No one in my family, or anyone I know, is altering their daily routine - at this point.

It was interesting to find out that the first symptoms for this patient were aches, chills, diarrhea..followed by fever and then a cough.

DO NOT GO TO ANY CLINIC, EMERGENCY ROOM, DOCTOR'S OFFICE UNLESS YOU CALL FIRST IF YOU SUSPECT CORONAVIRUS MERS.

BE RESPONSIBLE - DO NOT INFECT OTHERS!

 

[Treyfish]

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

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

TSA Warns Travelers About Deadly MERS Virus:tiphat:VIDEO

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/mers-mystery/tsa-warns-travelers-about-deadly-mers-virus-n104716

 

[Treyfish]

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

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

..11Alive's Matt Pearl spoke with a passenger from that flight who is looking for answers.
The passenger, Ben Kinney, says the CDC has called him twice in as many days. They told him he was on a flight from Boston to Atlanta with the person infected with the MERS virus.
Kinney is an Atlanta resident who travels regularly. The CDC hasn't said publicly which flights carried the patient, but they confirmed he was on a flight back from Boston earlier this month. He has been told he's probably fine, but that he should keep an eye out for any symptoms.
The CDC wouldn't tell him how close he sat to the patient in question while on board the flight.
"I thought it was critical information," Kinney said. "I thought it didn't violate anyone's confidentiality or health information, so there was no reason to keep it from me."..:tiphat:http://www.11alive.com/story/news/l...ned-about-mers-patient-on-his-flight/9056893/