Suspected MERS case in city? Woman hospitalised

Suspected MERS case in city? Woman hospitalised

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 28, 2014: A 63 year old woman suspected to have  contracted MERS-CoV (The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronovirus) has been quarantined at a private hospital in the city. This information has been confirmed by Health Department sources as well as State Health Minister UT Khader.

It is learnt, the authorities are waiting for the report of blood, respiratory secretion(throat samples) which have been sent to the National Institute of Biologicals (NIB), Pune.   Sources say the report may be out in two days.

This is the first suspected MERS case ever since authorities have placed airports in the state including the Mangalore and Bangalore Airports on alert and made it mandatory to screen passengers arriving from West Asia

The woman who is now hospitalised had been to Saudi Arabia on May 11 and returned on May 19. As the woman was found coughing, the Airport authorities had suggested that she undergo a check-up for MERS. It is said three days later, she had cold, fever and cough and was hospitalised. She was later quarantined on suspicion that it is a case of MERS.

Dr HS Shivakumar, District Health and Family Welfare said though a test done by KMC Manipal said it was only a viral fever, still the NIB report will decide whether she has actually contracted MERS or not.