WHO: New case of Mers virus confirmed in UAE’s Al Ain

A case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers-CoV) has been confirmed in Al Ain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The International Health Regulations National Focal Point (IHR NFP) of the UAE said that an adult in his 20s was diagnosed with MERS-CoV in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.

Reportedly, a 28-year-old patient from Al Ain city in Abu Dhabi was admitted to hospital in June. Subsequently, he was diagnosed with potentially fatal Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus.

The WHO said, “The case had no history of direct or indirect contact with dromedaries, goats, or sheep. However, he tested positive for Mers-CoV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on June 23.” The WHO also revealed that the man was a “non-Emirati and a non-healthcare worker.”

According to Reuters, the WHO was unable to find any link to the contraction of the virus. The WHO authorities checked the list of all the 108 people with whom the man had contacted.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus is a zoonotic virus. It is transmitted between animals and people. However, there were no signs of the 28-year-old man coming into contact with animals. 

According to health authorities, the virus is transmitted through direct or indirect contact with infected dromedary camels. However, the exact transmission route is not clear yet.

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The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus was first detected in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2012. In the UAE, the virus was first reported in 2013. Since then, 94 confirmed cases have been found in the UAE. The UAE also witnessed 12 deaths due to the virus.

The MERS-CoV has been found in more than 27 countries. According to WHO, a total of 2,605 cases of the virus have been reported so far globally.