Mers UK

British hospital on lockdown after two patients admitted with deadly MERS virus

A BRITISH hospital was on lockdown this afternoon after admitting two cases of the deadly Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus.

Manchester Royal Infirmary closed its entire Accident and Emergency department and ambulances were diverted for several hours after a patient was rushed in with the killer disease. The department has since reopened.

MERS is passed on to humans by camels and was first discovered in the Middle East in 2012. Since the virus first broke out there have been nearly 1,200 cases reported and 465 deaths.

It is not yet clear whether or not the infected person had recently returned from abroad.

While the majority of cases have been recorded in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Ermirates and surrounding nations, cases have also been reported in Britain, France, Holland, Austria and Italy, with a Briton tested as recently as May.

Starting off as flu-like symptoms, victims can then suffer pneumonia and kidney failure, and nearly 40 per cent of those contaminated end up dying.

Public Health England today reassured people that there is currently no risk of catching MERS from another human.

Dr Rosemary McCann, north-west deputy director of health protection, said: "We are aware of two individuals being tested for Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers-CoV) in Manchester.

"Although cases continue to be reported from the Middle East, no new cases of Mers-CoV have been detected in the UK since February 2013. There is presently no evidence of sustained person-to-person transmission of Mers-CoV, and the risk of contracting infection in the UK remains very low.

She added: "The risk to UK residents travelling to Middle Eastern countries may be slightly higher than within the UK but is still very low. Limited onward transmission in South Korea has been associated with healthcare settings, and the risk to UK tourists visiting South Korea is also considered to be very low."

It then spreads to those in close contact, such as relatives and hospital workers.

Earlier this year Britons going on holiday to the Middle East were warned about the dangers of picking up the deadly virus whilst on camel rides.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said it is not yet fully understood how people become infected with Mers.

In a statement the organisation said: "It is believed that humans can be infected through direct or indirect contact with infected dromedary camels in the Middle East. Strains of Mers-CoV have been identified in camels in several countries, including Egypt, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia."
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/594124/MERS-virus-patient-Manchester-Royal-Infirmary-camel-flu

This is a bad time to have something like this happen with the NHS being slowly dismantled by the current government. Not too thrilled to hear that they reopened so soon either.