Guardian reports MERS deaths
Date published:
2014-05-13T00:00:00
Details:
The risk to contacts of confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection is low but contacts should be followed up in the 14 days following exposure and any new febrile or respiratory illness investigated urgently.
Although there is growing evidence implicating camels in the Middle East as a reservoir and possible vector for MERS-CoV transmission to humans, this still requires confirmation. All travellers to the Middle East are advised to practice good general hygiene measures, such as regular hand washing before and after visiting farms, barns or market areas, especially where camels are present. They are also advised to avoid unnecessary contact with camels and avoid raw camel milk/camel products from the Middle East, particularly if they have chronic health conditions, as they may be at a higher risk of MERS-CoV.
All travellers are advised generally to avoid the consumption of any type of raw milk, raw milk products and any food that may be contaminated with animal secretions unless it has been peeled and cleaned and/or thoroughly cooked.
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