Michigan MERS-CoV Resources

Oakland County, Michigan sent this bulletin at 10/02/2013 12:09 PM EDT

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Please find below a recent message from the Michigan Department of Community Health on the above topic.  Please feel free to share this information with your colleagues. 

 

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has created Michigan-specific guidance for MERS-CoV case identification, reporting, testing, and infection control. This guidance is posted in the HAN "Alert Details" section and www.michigan.gov/cdinfo under the Current Issues & Updates.


Additionally, educational brochures in both English and Arabic from MDCH are available for printing and distribution by Local Health Departments (LHDs) to the general public. These brochures can be found HAN "Alert Details" section and at www.michigan.gov/cdinfo. MDCH has a limited number of printed brochures for LHDs that can be requested by contacting MDCH at (517) 335-8165.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is caused by a coronavirus called MERS-CoV and was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Most people who have been confirmed to have MERS-CoV infection developed severe acute respiratory illness, and about half have died. The most commonly reported symptoms included fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Most patients had abnormal findings on chest x-ray.

As of September 30, 2013, 130 cases have been identified worldwide. These cases had either a history of recent travel in the Arabian Peninsula or neighboring countries or were a close contact of a symptomatic traveler from the area. To date, no cases have been reported in the United States. The virus has spread from ill people to others through close contact. However, no current evidence exists for sustained human-to-human transmission. Michigan healthcare providers should be vigilant for suspect cases.

Healthcare providers with suspect cases should notify their local health department and the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) immediately to arrange for case evaluation and approval for specimen testing. MDCH is available during normal business hours at 517-335-8165 or after hours at 517-335-9030.

Future updates may be issued if MERS-CoV severity, activity, or transmission changes.

 

Richard Renas, MPH, Epidemiologist, Oakland County Health Division

T: 248-858-0009 C: 248-343-1377 F: 248-858-0178