Abu Dhabi: A 59-year-old Abu Dhabi male resident was diagnosed with Mers-Coronavirus, the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi has announced.
The patient, who is currently on dialysis and known to have diabetes and final-stage renal failure, complained of respiratory symptoms and was admitted and diagnosed with the illness.
HAAD has confirmed that it is coordinating with the Ministry of Health and other authorities in the country, and has taken all necessary measures according to international standards and recommendations from the World Health Organisation.
The ministry stated that WHO first issued an international alert regarding the disease in September 2012. The WHO stated that up to April 1 this year there were 207 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with Mers-CoV worldwide, including 87 deaths.
Putting this in perspective, and if compared to seasonal influenza worldwide, it is estimated that seasonal influenza results in about three to five million cases of severe illness, and about 250,000 to 500,000 deaths, according to the WHO.
The ministry added that the WHO confirmed the virus is not a concern for public health at the moment, and that the current situation does not require a travel ban to any country in the world, screenings at different ports, or any restrictions on trade.
The ministry reassured everyone that globally, detected cases continue to be very low compared to other types of flu-like illnesses. The ministry confirmed that it is monitoring the situation closely to ensure the health and safety of everyone.
