Mers virus: two suspected cases discovered in Manchester

Manchester Royal Infirmary reopened itsa doors on Monday afternoon, having closed it earlier in the day after two patients were suspected of carrying the potentially fatal Mers virus.

A statement from the hospital said: “This afternoon, we confirmed that we are currently investigating two patients for suspected Middle Eastern Respiratory Virus Syndrome – Coronavirus Infection (MERS-COV).

“Both patients were isolated for on-going management of their condition while tests took place. One patient has now been relocated to North Manchester General. Results of the tests are still pending.

“Manchester Royal Infirmary A&E is open to the public. We would like to reassure our patients and the general public that there is no significant risk to public health.”

To date 33 people have died of the disease in South Korea. There are currently 184 people infected with Mers coronavirus in the country, with more than 2,000 under quarantine.

We can confirm our A&E is currently closed to the public until further notice. Further details here: http://t.co/zDGuIEkPkj

— Manchester Hospitals (@CMFTNHS) July 27, 2015

The first Mers case in South Korea was registered on 20 May. The virus was brought by a South Korean national returning from a trip to the Middle East.

Manchester Royal Infirmary closed the Accident and Emergency department after it emerged that two people were believed to be suffering from the virus.

Last month the WHO said the outbreak of Mers in the Republic of Korea was “a wakeup call” and said “in a highly mobile world, all countries should always be prepared for the unanticipated possibility of outbreaks of this, and other serious infectious diseases.”

First identified in humans in 2012, Mers is caused by a corona virus from the same family as the one that triggered the 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

In a statement, the MRI said: “We would like to reassure our patients and the general public that there is no significant risk to public health.

“Manchester Royal Infirmary Accident and Emergency Department will be closed until further notice while further investigations take place.”

How contagious is it?

Symptoms of Mers typically include fever, cough and shortness of breath with the virus appearing to cause more severe disease in older people and those with weakened immune systems.

The World Health Organisation has said that Mers is contagious “apparently only to a limited extent”.

According to the WHO briefing approximately 36 per cent of reported patients with MERS-CoV have died.

MERS (Middle Eastern Respiratory Virus Syndrome) symptoms typically include fever, cough and a shortness of breath.
The World Health Organisation says MERS is contagious but “apparently only to a limited extent” and does not pass easily between people.