Please click the frequently asked questions below for further information and IPC precautions required:
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What is MERS?
This is a novel coronavirus that emerged in the Middle East and is classed as a high consequence infectious disease (HCID). It causes severe viral respiratory disease.
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How does it spread?
MERS-CoV, like other coronaviruses, likely spreads from an infected person’s respiratory secretions, such as through coughing. However, we don’t fully understand the precise ways that it spreads.
MERS-CoV has spread from ill people to others through close contact, such as caring for or living with an infected person. Infected people have spread MERS-CoV to others in healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
Those at risk of contracting MERS-CoV include travellers to the Arabian Peninsula (or those in close contact with travellers to this region). The camel is a host species for the virus and those in contact with camels or camel products may also be at risk of contracting the disease.
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What are the symptoms of MERS?
Symptoms include fever and cough that commonly progresses to a severe pneumonia, sometimes requiring mechanical ventilation. Pneumonia is more likely in immunocompromised individuals, people with cardiopulmonary illnesses, as well as the elderly and young children. In some cases, a diarrhoeal illness has been the first symptom to appear.
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Why is this important?
If NIAS staff are aware that the patient has a suspected or confirmed MERS-CoV, this should be communicated to EAC / NEAC and the IPC Team as soon as possible. Where possible the HART team will convey patients who are a high level of suspicion or confirmed case of MERS-CoV.
All MERS-CoV cases are notifiable to the Public Health Agency (PHA).
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IPC Precautions
- This should be treated as a HCID.
- The HART team should be involved in risk assessment and transfer of all suspected and confirmed cases.
- As this is a HCID there are specific guidelines surrounding the use of PPE. Guidance should be sought for the appropriate method of donning and doffing of PPE.
- An FFP3 mask that you are fit tested for should be used.
- Ensure use of a buddy system for donning and doffing PPE.
The NIAS guidance for VHF should be used and the IPC team contacted immediately for further advice.
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What cleaning is required?
- All equipment and the ambulance should have a deep clean with a hypochlorite solution with a strength of 10,000 PPM (Same dilution as blood and body fluids).
- Appropriate PPE should be worn when decontaminating the vehicle and the equipment.
- Any single use equipment should be disposed of.
- Waste should be treated as Category 4 waste and disposed of in line with the trust waste.
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Do staff need prophylaxis or follow up?
A list of staff will be recorded of all staff who have had interaction with the suspected/confirmed case.
All staff in contact with a case of MERS will be individually risk assessed by the multi-agency team.
- Link to guidance