ABU DHABI // Health authorities have confirmed that a second person has tested positive for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.
A 29-year-old lorry driver, who transported camels from Oman, was found to be carrying the coronavirus but was not showing any symptoms, as reported on Tuesday by The National.
On Wednesday, Health Authority Abu Dhabi said a second person had been diagnosed with Mers, but declined to give further details.
A Haad spokesman said: “Both cases are reported as stable and receiving the necessary medical care.
“The patients have not shown any symptoms. We confirmed their infection with the virus through investigation, and the patients have been isolated in hospitals as a precautionary measure.”
Haad was also checking on people who had been in contact with the patients. Based on previous cases, the officials expected the patients would recover from the coronavirus in no more than two weeks.
Haad said it was working with the Ministry of Health and other authorities, and taking all precautionary measures based on recommendations from the World Health Organisation.
A Ministry of Health spokesman said: “The epidemiological investigation centres in the UAE are working round the clock to early report any detection of the virus. The ministry is following the situation closely to ensure the health and safety of everyone.”
WHO also confirmed the second case.
“On 18 May, WHO received a notification of a suspected Mers-CoV case from the National IHR Focal Point of the UAE. However, the case is still being investigated and we can only share the details after case confirmation,” a spokesman said.
The first patient announced this week was found to be infected after mandatory tests on all imported camels found his cargo was carrying the coronavirus.
Local health authorities notified WHO on May 13 with the results.
Globally, the organisation has been notified of 1,118 laboratory-confirmed cases of Mers, with 423 related deaths.
arizvi2@thenational.ae
