Uzbekistan adopts measures to prevent MERS spread

The ministry said that taking into account unfavorable MERS epidemic situation in the world, Uzbekistan adopts measures to prevent bringing and spread of the virus into Uzbekistan. Medical monitoring of passengers were organized at all international airports of Uzbekistan to reveal people with high temperature.

The passengers from the countries of Middle East and the Republic of Korea, the statement of the Ministry said.

Epidemiologic supervision over acute respiratory infections and pneumonia were launched in Uzbekistan. Instruction for revealing and treating MERS was developed for medical staff.

All conditions were created at infectious hospitals for admission and treatment of patients with MERS in a safe environment. The recommendations to protect people from MERS were developed for people, who plan to visit the Middle East states.

The Ministry said that epidemiological situation is favourable in Uzbekistan due adopted measures. Taking into account recommendations of the WHO, Uzbekistan will not introduce any limits to air communication or trade turnover with Middle East states or the Republic of Korea.

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) that was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Typical MERS symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Pneumonia is common, but not always present. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea, have also been reported.

Approximately 36% of reported patients with MERS have died.

Although the majority of human cases of MERS have been attributed to human-to-human infections, camels are likely to be a major reservoir host for MERS-CoV and an animal source of MERS infection in humans. However, the exact role of camels in transmission of the virus and the exact route(s) of transmission are unknown.

The virus does not seem to pass easily from person to person unless there is close contact, such as occurs when providing unprotected care to a patient.