Hospital Infection Control & Prevention – September 1, 2013

September 1, 2013

• Have virus, will travel: U.S. hospitals must be vigilant for incoming cases of MERS, H7N9 as seasonal flu hits

  With the approaching flu season complicated by possible introductions of an emerging coronavirus in the Middle East and a novel H7N9 flu strain in China, clinicians in U.S. hospitals may need to rely more on gumshoe epidemiology than available diagnostics.

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• Until cases recognized, MERS a formidable bug

  The rapid transmission and high attack rate of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus in a hospital dialysis unit in Al-Hufuf, Saudi Arabia raises substantial concerns about the risk of health careassociated transmission of this virus, a team of researchers recently reported.

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• MERS deadly to patients with underlying conditions

  While a number of mild cases are likely going unrecognized the bottom of the iceberg if you will the serious MERS infections that are being detected are striking people with underlying medical conditions and killing more than half of them.

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• Is the camel the culprit? Signs of past MERS infection

  Camels may play an important role as an intermediate or bridge host for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus.

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