KSA declares war on MERS

Health authorities have launched all-out efforts to prevent an outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus in the country after the deadly virus hit paramedics at two major hospitals in the city. 
A paramedic at King Abdul Aziz Hospital was among two latest victims of the SARS-like disease, bringing the nationwide death toll to 66.
A senior health official said seven more new suspected cases have been reported in Jeddah.
Makkah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah met with the director-general of health and urged “precautionary measures to combat the disease” at hospitals and other health facilities in the region.
“We have to adopt health measures to ensure the safety of citizens and residents from the virus and educate the public on how to protect themselves from MERS,” the governor told health officials in the region.
The Health Ministry reported four more MERS cases in Jeddah on Monday, two of whom are health workers, prompting authorities to close the emergency department at the city’s King Fahd Hospital.
Sabq.org, an electronic newspaper, reported that patients were being transferred to other hospitals in the city, but the move has caused widespread concern in the city fueled by rumors on social networks.
“I’m afraid to send my children to school,” said Bassem Ben Ali, a 33-year-old Jeddawi.
There have been 175 cases reported in Saudi Arabia since the MERS virus first appeared in the Kingdom in September 2012.
“We have detected 11 cases of coronavirus in Jeddah,” said Dr. Abdul Salam Noorwali, director-general of health in the Makkah region. “Two of the patients have died, while six others have been cured and three cases are under medication.”
Dr. Sami Badawood, Jeddah Health Affairs director, said the emergency ward at King Fahd Hospital was shut down for 24 hours to ease pressure as Saudi Red Crescent Society ambulances bring in more emergency cases.
— With input from Irfan Mohammed
“We sterilized the emergency ward of the hospital during closure,” he said. “One employee at King Fahd hospital has contracted the virus.”
The ministry set up an exclusive section to monitor the virus in the city following the detection of the first case, said the director.
“Six teams have been working to monitor and conduct preventive measures. Cases are being referred to regional diagnostic laboratories for detailed examination and also to take preventive measures,” he said.
Badawood said that the disease is under control in the city, adding that no confirmed case has been found at King Abdulaziz Hospital. He urged the public not to listen to rumors and seek information from official sources.
Dr. Sharie Al-Buqami, spokesman at King Abdulaziz University, denied media reports that paramedics at KAU hospital have been affected by the virus.
“We have not closed the emergency ward, which is operating normally,” he said. “The hospital received five suspected cases and an Egyptian doctor who was suffering from the disease has since fully recovered.”