Earth Watch Report - Biological Hazards
Transmission electron micrograph of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Wikimedia .org
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RSOE EDIS
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| Description |
| A
second passenger who travelled through Heathrow Airport been diagnosed
with a potentially fatal Sars-style virus. The latest case of Middle
East Respiratory Syndrome, MERS-CoV, involves a person flying from
Jeddah to America via London. The passenger, who travelled on Saudi
Airlines flight 113 on Thursday, May 1, tested positive for the virus
after arriving in the US. It follows a similar case involving a
passenger who travelled from Riyadh to Chicago and transferred in London
on Thursday, April 24. Checks on other passengers on the flight have
proved negative, according to Public Health England. Tourists travelling
to the Middle East, especially those with chronic medical conditions,
are being urged to avoid contact with camels as experts believe they may
help to transmit the virus. PHE say the incubation period is around 14
days, but stress the risk of transmission is extremely low. The new type
of coronavirus was first identified in a Middle Eastern patient in
2012. According to World Health Organisation figures, 111 people have
tested positive in the Jeddah area of Saudi Arabia in the last two years
- resulting in 31 deaths. Worldwide the number of cases is thought to
be 401, with 93 fatalities. Three people have died in the UK as a result
of the infection. PHE said the last case to be detected was in February
2013. Other cases have also been reported in France, Germany, Italy and
Greece, across the Middle East in Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman
and in other countries such as Malaysia, Philippines and Tunisia.
Professor Nick Phin, head of respiratory diseases for Public Health
England, said: "As with the incident earlier this month, the risk is
very low. “We will be following up with any UK passengers who were
sitting in the vicinity of the passenger with MERS-CoV, as a
precautionary measure. "Any UK-based travellers who become unwell with a
fever, cough or shortness of breath within 14 days of being in the
Middle East, should make sure they call their doctor and tell them where
they have travelled. "Although the source of MERS-CoV is unknown, there
is growing evidence of the possible role of camels in transmitting it
to humans. "We advise travellers, particularly those with underlying or
chronic medical conditions, to avoid contact with camels in the Middle
East. "All travellers should practise good hand and respiratory hygiene
to reduce the risk of respiratory illness." |
| Biohazard name: | MERS-COv (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)) |
| Biohazard level: | 4/4 Hazardous |
| Biohazard desc.: | Viruses
and bacteria that cause severe to fatal disease in humans, and for
which vaccines or other treatments are not available, such as Bolivian
and Argentine hemorrhagic fevers, H5N1(bird flu), Dengue hemorrhagic
fever, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, hantaviruses, Lassa fever,
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and other hemorrhagic or unidentified
diseases. When dealing with biological hazards at this level the use of a
Hazmat suit and a self-contained oxygen supply is mandatory. The
entrance and exit of a Level Four biolab will contain multiple showers, a
vacuum room, an ultraviolet light room, autonomous detection system,
and other safety precautions designed to destroy all traces of the
biohazard. Multiple airlocks are employed and are electronically secured
to prevent both doors opening at the same time. All air and water
service going to and coming from a Biosafety Level 4 (P4) lab will
undergo similar decontamination procedures to eliminate the possibility
of an accidental release. |
| Symptoms: | |
| Status: | confirmed |
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Second MERS case detected in passenger flying through London
The deadly MERS virus has been diagnosed in two air passengers passed through London in transit in a matter of weeks
A second case of the deadly MERS virus has been diagnosed on a flight through London.
The
passenger was flying from Jeddah to the USA and transiting through
Heathrow exactly one week after a person flying from Riyadh to Chicago
who stopped at the London airport was found to have the new deadly
respiratory virus that has spread through the Middle East.
The
risk to anyone on the Saudi Airlines flight 113 on May 1 is thought to
be low, but Public Health England warn anyone who has have since become
unwell or experienced respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath,
to seek medical advice.
No other
passenger on the April 24 British Airways flight 262 from Riyadh to
London was found to have contracted Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.
Experts
say the risk to fellow travellers is low as although the mortality rate
from the disease is high, it is not easily spread between humans.
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