With Haj season beginning, WHO gives timely wake-up call for efforts to prevent MERS-CoV

Islamabad
Even though Pakistan has not reported any case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) so far, it faces high chances of infection transportation due to regular travel linkages with Saudi Arabia and other Arab states, especially with the onset of Haj season. As such, this may be the high time to remain prepared and vigilant.
A forewarning to this effect was given here on Wednesday by WHO Country Representative Dr. Michel Thieren at the close of a two-day meeting on scaling up preparedness and awareness raising for MERS-CoV prevention.
The meeting, which was organised by the World Health Organisation in coordination with Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination and the National Institute of Health, was attended by national and provincial focal points for International Health Regulations (IHR); provincial director generals of health, provincial directors for communicable disease control and public health, laboratory personnel, and health communication experts from related health departments.
Dr. Thieren highlighted the importance of preparedness and capacity enhancement in dealing with MERS-CoV and similar health issues that have the potential to threaten the health of Pakistani citizens. He urged the national and provincial health representatives to focus on developing core capacities required under IHR, and to enhance skills of departments and officials involved in the fight against deadly communicable diseases like Ebola and MERS-CoV. He also urged the participants to focus on the six pillars of preparedness namely, leadership and coordination; improved vigilance at health facilities; enhanced surveillance and contact tracing; infection control; enhanced laboratory capacity, and risk communication for public awareness. He briefly explained the measures that WHO has taken globally regarding control and containment of MERS-CoV infection.
With the Haj season around the corner, it is important to remember that recent travelers from the Arabian Peninsula and close contacts of an ill traveler from the Arabian Peninsula are at increased risk for MERS. According to information available on the website of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, people who develop fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, within 14 days after travelling from countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula, should consult a healthcare provider and mention their recent travel history. While sick, they should stay home from work or school and delay future travel to reduce the possibility of spreading illness to others.
Similarly, those who have had close contact with someone within 14 days after they travelled from a country in or near the Arabian Peninsula, and the traveller has/had fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, should monitor their health for 14 days, starting from the day they were last exposed to the ill person. If they develop fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, they should immediately consult a healthcare provider.
MERS was first reported in 2012 from Saudi Arabia, which is the reservoir of this virus. MERS-CoV has been reported from 26 countries so far, and all cases showed direct or indirect link with the Arabian Peninsula.
Dr. Thieren emphasized that since MERS-CoV is a new virus, there is very less knowledge available about the disease and the virus. Yet, knowing the disease and its virus is important. “MERS-CoV is not Ebola, although it also presents with high mortality. It is also not as contagious as other airborne diseases like measles. We believe that while scientific facts are important in this case, we must also understand its context and how we communicate. It is important to involve doctors, scientists and the media,” the WHO chief added.
Dr. Malik Muhammad Safi, director programmes at the Ministry of Health referred to MERS-CoV is an emerging disease with high mortality rate. He said, Pakistan needs to be well-prepared for this challenge. “The Haj season has commenced, so this is the right time to come up with a common risk mitigation plan in coordination with other stakeholders including the Ministry of Religious Affairs,” he stated.
Dr. Malik briefed the participants about the steps that the federal and provincial governments are taking for the control of communicable diseases and IHR implementation. He emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among all provinces and national institutes involved in implementation of IHR and communicable disease control activities, and discussed the initiatives taken so far for preparedness against diseases such as Ebola and MERS-CoV.
Dr. Malik acknowledged support of WHO to the Health Ministry and thanked the organisation for timely arrangement of the two-day meeting in which all stakeholders and provinces participated.