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

[Pathfinder]

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

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

MERS symptoms show up in 2 U.S. health workers

CBC NewsPosted: May 13, 2014 11:50 AM ETLast Updated: May 13, 2014 10:28 PM ET
...
About 15 other workers at Dr. Phillips Hospital, as well as five workers at a second Orlando hospital where the Saudi resident visited, have been asked to stay home from work for two weeks until they are cleared of having the virus.

One of the workers is a doctor who travelled to Canada, a hospital spokesperson said.

"For privacy concerns, we are not revealing the location of this physician.

What we can say is that the physician has been notified of our patient?s positive MERS test results, which he did not know prior to travel. Because he is a physician, he understands and is following the proper precautions. As late as this afternoon, he is not symptomatic and efforts are underway now to co-ordinate testing in his current location,? Geo Morales, a spokesman for Orlando Health, said in an email to CBC News.
...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/mers-symptoms-show-up-in-2-u-s-health-workers-1.2641186

 

[Pathfinder]

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

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

Florida MERS patient sat in busy ER for hours

By Barbara Liston
ORLANDO Wed May 14, 2014 12:09am EDT

(Reuters) - The second U.S. patient to be diagnosed with the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) spent at least four hours in the public waiting room of a busy Florida emergency department before he was seen by a doctor, a hospital official said.

Almost eight more hours passed before staff at Orlando's Dr. P. Phillips Hospital determined the patient had traveled from Saudi Arabia, where he worked at a hospital, began to suspect his exposure to MERS and had him moved to an isolation room, the hospital's chief quality control officer said.
...
While the Orlando patient waited to be admitted, he was treated in a single room in the emergency department where healthcare workers wore gloves and gowns due to his diarrhea,but did not wear goggles and face masks appropriate for protecting them from the virus, Crespo said.
...

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/14/us-usa-health-mers-hospital-idUSKBN0DU06520140514

 

[Pathfinder]

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

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

Woman exposed to MERS speaks out
...
Author: Shaun Chaiyabhat, Reporter
Published On: May 13 2014 12:32:47 PM EDT Updated 36 m

...
"They informed me that there was a confirmed case of the MERS virus from my flight from Atlanta to Orlando. I was really scared," said the woman who does not want to be identified, but lives in Virginia and flew with her husband on May 1 aboard the same Delta flight with the MERS-infected patient.

Twelve days after her flight, her State Health Department called and sent her a letter that reads:

"You were exposed to a person with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome(MERS) on your flight" and asks if she has symptoms like fever (100.4 f degrees), cough, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or pain when coughing or breathing deeply. She and others who flew with the MERS patient must record their temperature for 14 days after their exposure."

"I was in shock that I could actually contract it. We're considered exposed but there was no level associated with that. They just said to me, 'You and your husband are considered to be exposed to the MERS virus,'" she said.

She and her husband have no symptoms but still have to monitor their health and they have until May 15 before they are in the clear.
...
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/orlando-mers-patient-still-has-fever/25953878

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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

From: FluTrackers <flutrackers@earthlink.net>
To: Katherine Dagenais - Orlando Health <Katharine.Dagenais@orlandohealth.com>, "Mirna.Chamorro@flhealth.gov" <Mirna.Chamorro@flhealth.gov>
Subject: Good morning! Any test results? A coronavirus MERS media conference today?
Date: May 14, 2014 9:54 AM


Hi!

Please relay any information on:

any test results,

new suspected cases,

new confirmed cases,

condition of any confirmed/suspected cases,

media conference schedule,

any other pertinent information.


thanks!

Sharon

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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

From: "Dagenais, Katie M." <Katharine.Dagenais@orland... [Edit Address Book]
To: 'FluTrackers' <flutrackers@earthlink.net>, "Mirna.Chamorro@flhealth.gov" <Mirna.Chamorro@flhealth.gov>
Subject: RE: Good morning! Any test results? A coronavirus MERS media conference today?
Date: May 14, 2014 9:55 AM

Will do Sharon. I've added you to our email list.

Katie

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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

FluTrackers.com ‏@FluTrackers 26m
@orlandohealth Are you holding a press conference today on the #coronavirus #MERS situation.Details?Also, pls advise on any test results.Thx


Orlando Health ‏@orlandohealth 3m
@FluTrackers There are no additional press conferences scheduled at this time but we will update if there are any significant developments.

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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

From: "Chamorro, Mirna I" <Mirna.Chamorro@flhealth.go... [Edit Address Book]
To: FluTrackers <flutrackers@earthlink.net>, Katherine Dagenais - Orlando Health <Katharine.Dagenais@orlandohealth.com>

Subject: RE: Good morning! Any test results? A coronavirus MERS media conference today?
Date: May 14, 2014 10:14 AM

Sure, as soon as we have more information we will share.

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

 

[Pathfinder]

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

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

Two sick U.S. hospital workers test negative for MERS virus

Wed May 14, 2014 10:31am EDT

(Reuters) - Two U.S. hospital workers who fell ill after contact with a patient suffering from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome have tested negative for the often deadly virus, a Florida health official said on Wednesday.
...
Florida officials said they were monitoring a total of 20 healthcare workers who had been in contact with the patient. Test results of those workers have also so far proved negative for MERS...

(Reporting by Barbara Liston in Orlando; Editing by James Dalgleish)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/14/us-mers-flordia-idUSBREA4D0GT20140514

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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

From: "Dagenais, Katie M." <Katharine.Dagenais@orland... [Edit Address Book]
To:
Subject: MEDIA ALERT: Update from Dr. P. Phillips Hospital
Date: May 14, 2014 11:25 AM
UPDATE FROM DR. P. PHILLIPS HOSPITAL RE: MERS-CoV.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014

The two team members from Dr. P. Phillips Hospital who were symptomatic have tested NEGATIVE for MERS Co-V.

This includes the team member who was hospitalized on Monday, May 12 and the team member who was discharged on Monday, May 12.

We are still awaiting test results on the other 18 healthcare workers from Dr. P. Phillips Hospital and Orlando Regional Medical Center.

The patient who tested positive for MERS Co-V remains in isolation at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital. He has been fever free for 24 hours and clinically is doing well.

We will be providing another update via a press release later this afternoon.

No other information is available at this time.



Katie

Katie Dagenais, M.A.
Media Relations and Public Affairs Manager

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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

Lila Guterman ‏@lilaguterman 7m
.@brianvastag @SarahZielinski but @helenbranswell checked with @cdcgov and they said tests hadn't been run yet. She thinks article is wrong.

Helen Branswell ‏@HelenBranswell 6m
.@lilaguterman @brianvastag @SarahZielinski @cdcgov Orlando Health is saying NEG. @CDCgov is looking into it. #confusion

FluTrackers.com ‏@FluTrackers 2m
@HelenBranswell @lilaguterman @brianvastag @SarahZielinski @CDCgov Please advise.

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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

From: FluTrackers <flutrackers@earthlink.net>
To: "Mirna.Chamorro@flhealth.gov" <Mirna.Chamorro@flhealth.gov>, Katherine Dagenais - Orlando Health <Katharine.Dagenais@orlandohealth.com>
Subject: Apparently someone at the CDC is claiming the coronavirus samples on the 2 symptomatic health care workers in Orlando have not been tested there yet
Date: May 14, 2014 1:45 PM

Can you confirm that the CDC has tested the 2 samples from the symptomatic health care workers who were announced as negative today?

Was this a local Florida test? Can you provide the name of your contact at the CDC?


sincerely,


Sharon

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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

Helen Branswell @HelenBranswell · 3m
CORRECTING CORRECTION: @CDCgov will not do confirmatory testing if FLA lab finds NEG results. So 2 HCW are considered NEG for #MERS #sorry!

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers · 5m
@HelenBranswell @CDCgov Yes. Important. Would rather know, than not know. Thanks Helen for that bit of light.

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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

From: "Chamorro, Mirna I" <Mirna.Chamorro@flhealth.go... [Edit Address Book]
To: FluTrackers <flutrackers@earthlink.net>, Katherine Dagenais - Orlando Health <Katharine.Dagenais@orlandohealth.com>
Subject: RE: Apparently someone at the CDC is claiming the coronavirus samples on the 2 symptomatic health care workers in Orlando have not been tested there yet
Date: May 14, 2014 2:11 PM

Sharon,

This information will be discussed at the media briefing at 4:00pm.

The Florida Department of Health is conducting ongoing testing. When preliminary test results become available we share that information with the CDC. The Department will release additional information about final test results when that information becomes available.

Thank you,

Mirna Chamorro
Public Information Officer

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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

From: "Weister, Dain" <Dain.Weister@flhealth.gov>
To: "Weister, Dain" <Dain.Weister@flhealth.gov>
Subject: Media Advisory - MERS Update 4pm
Date: May 14, 2014 2:17 PM
Attachments: MERS-CoV Media Advisory 51414.doc
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2014


MEDIA ADVISORY:

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO HOLD MEDIA AVAILABILITY


Orlando ? The Florida Department of Health in Orange County will hold a media availability to discuss the MERS-CoV case in Orlando.

Who: Kevin Sherin MD, MPH, MBA
Director for the Florida Department of Health in Orange County

Representative from Dr. P. Phillips Hospital

What: Updated information regarding the MERS-CoV case in Orlando

When: May 14, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. ET

Where: Florida Department of Health in Orange County
6101 Lake Ellenor Drive, Orlando

Contact:
Florida Department of Health in Orange County - Media Relations
407-858-1429 or 407-858-1418

Florida Department of Health ? Communications Office
850-245-4441


###


Dain R. Weister
Public Information Officer

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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

From: "Weister, Dain" <Dain.Weister@flhealth.gov> [Edit Address Book]
To: "FluTrackers (flutrackers@earthlink.net)" <flutrackers@earthlink.net>
Subject: Clarification on MERS
Date: May 14, 2014 2:34 PM

Hello,

Regarind the MERS case, The CDC only receives specimens for further testing if they need further testing beyond our state lab?. And they receive a positive. The first screening tests on the 2 symptomatic Health Care Workers were negative, so the CDC will not be getting those samples to test.


Dain R. Weister
Public Information Officer

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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

From: FluTrackers <flutrackers@earthlink.net>
To: "Weister,Dain" <Dain.Weister@flhealth.gov>
Subject: Re: Media Advisory - MERS Update 4pm
Date: May 14, 2014 3:27 PM

Thanks. Is there a call in number or link to a live feed?

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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

From: "Weister, Dain" <Dain.Weister@flhealth.gov>
To: FluTrackers <flutrackers@earthlink.net>
Subject: RE: Media Advisory - MERS Update 4pm
Date: May 14, 2014 3:28 PM

No call in. sorry. can provide you updates later… press release will have details as well.

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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

I will be watching the local cable news program and live tweet from that as long as they stay with the conference.

 

[Nika]

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

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

(Link didnt work - sorry - I cant find the delete button for this post - would if i could)

link for live feed of this presser

http://www.wesh.com/health/health-officials-give-update-on-orlando-mers-case/25979864

 

[sharon sanders]

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

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

via email


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: DOH-Orange Communications
May 14, 2014 407-858-1429 or 407-858-1418

Orlando Health- Kena Lewis
321-841-8184

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ORLANDO HEALTH
PROVIDE UPDATE ON MERS-CoV IN FLORIDA
~The investigation is contained and there is no broad risk to the general public~

Tallahassee ? The Florida Department of Health announced on May 12 the first Florida case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in Orange County. The patient remains in isolation at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, is currently fever free, and continues to improve.

?We want to assure the public that MERS-CoV in Florida is contained and there is no broad threat to the general public,? said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health, Dr. John Armstrong. ?We are grateful to the team at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital for their timely diagnosis and care of the patient. Floridians are reminded to practice simple steps to stay healthy: wash your hands often, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth and stay home if you are sick.?

?The highest priority for the Florida Department of Health in Orange County is the health and safety of residents and visitors in our community,? said Dr. Kevin Sherin, Director of the Florida Department of Health in Orange County. ?The patient is receiving effective and timely care and testing is ongoing to ensure that no additional individuals have the infection.?

Contact Investigation Continues
As part of standard public health practices, the Florida Department of Health, in coordination with local and federal partners, continues its surveillance, contact investigation and testing. While testing is ongoing, the two health care workers who had close contact with the patient and showed symptoms have tested negative for MERS-CoV.

The Florida Department of Health continues to work closely with Dr. P. Phillips Hospital and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure appropriate care of the patient and to protect the health of all residents and visitors in Florida.

?We are extremely pleased that none of our team members have tested positive, including the two team members that developed flu-like symptoms over the weekend,? said Antonio Crespo, MD, Infectious Diseases Specialist and Chief Quality Officer for Dr. P. Phillips Hospital. ?We are working to complete this investigation and we remain cautiously optimistic that test results from other team members will also be negative.?

No Broad Risk of MERS-CoV
There is no broad risk of MERS-CoV infection for the general public and there is no threat to those traveling to the Orlando area. MERS-CoV is not easily spread. The case in Orange County is contained.

MERS-CoV is a reminder of the precautions that everyone can take to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from any communicable diseases:
? Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
? Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
? Stay at home when you are sick.
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.

For more information, please visit DOH?s Online Newsroom- http://newsroom.doh.state.fl.us/2014/05/12/mers-cov-2/ or view the following resources:

? Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Fact Sheet (DOH): MERS-CoV ? Fact Sheet
? Frequently Asked MERS Questions and Answers(DOH): MERS-CoV ? FAQ
? Middle East Respiratory Syndrome information (DOH): http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/mers/index.html
? Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (CDC): http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/index.html
? World Health Organization (WHO):
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/coronavirus_infections/en/

The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.floridahealth.gov.