UAE well prepared to deal with Mers: Specialist

Affected couple’s son was found to have Mers-Cov during a medical check-up.

This undated electron microscope image made availalbe by the National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows novel coronavirus particles, also known as the MERS virus, colorized in yellow.AP

The UAE is well prepared and fully equipped to deal with the cases of Coronavirus in the country, assured a specialist.

Dr Asim Malik, consultant and head of infectious diseases at Mafraq Hospital, said the UAE is implementing all measures in line with the international guidelines and that patients diagnosed with the Middle East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (Mers-Cov) are receiving the best possible care.

His statement followed the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi’s (Haad) announcement on Sunday of a new case of Coronavirus involving an eight-year-old Jordanian boy. Official news agency Wam reported that the child was found to have Mers-Cov during a medical check-up of his family members after his father and mother were diagnosed with the same virus. The child was admitted to the hospital for quarantine and follow-up when he developed mild symptoms.

On Friday, the Haad reported that a Jordanian couple, a 38-year old man and his eight-month pregnant wife, have contracted the disease. According to Wam, the man was admitted to the ICU after suffering from respiratory symptoms and later on diagnosed with Mers-Cov. His wife was diagnosed afterwards with the same and admitted to the ICU.

This is the first time that a pregnant woman has been diagnosed with Coronavirus and the first time that the UAE has reported a child with the disease.

“”This is the first time that we’re managing a young child. This is the first case in the country... (and) this is the first time ever that the world is witnessing this case on a pregnant lady,” said Dr Malik noting that pregnancy makes the patient more vulnerable “with potentially dangerous complications”.

“Coronavirus causes a variety of complications such as respiratory and renal failure. All of those are possibilities ... (but) we just need to stick to the guidelines and (the outcome) remains to be seen,” he pointed out. “Be assured that everyone is receiving the best possible care. The systems and process are absolutely in place,” he stressed.

The recent cases put the number of patients diagnosed with Mers-Cov in the UAE at eight. The first was in July when an 82-year-old Emirati man with multiple myeloma contracted the disease. He was followed by four healthcare workers who got infected after they took care of him. All cases were in Abu Dhabi.

Dr Malik said that cases here are still “sporadic” considering that this has been going on over a year and that the health authorities concerned are still learning about the disease.

The Haad said it is coordinating with the Ministry of Health and other authorities concerned for Mers-Cov and that it has taken the precautionary measures specified by the World Health Organisation.

olivia@khaleejtimes.com