ABU DHABI // Health measures are being stepped up after a patient in the capital tested positive for the potentially fatal Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronovirus.
The case was the first in the UAE since June last year, and the patient is currently receiving medical care to limit the spread of the virus, which has been linked to camels.
“Health Authority - Abu Dhabi is coordinating with the Ministry of Health and Prevention and other relevant governmental entities,” a Haad spokesman said.
“Haad has taken all necessary measures as per standards and recommendations from the World Health Organisation.
“To help prevent respiratory illnesses the [ministry] has advised the public to wash hands often with soap and water, If not available, use hand sanitiser, cover nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and then throw the tissue in the trash.”
Details of the latest patient infected have not been released.
Symptoms of the virus are fever and respiratory problems such as coughing and shortness of breath.
In June last year, a 37-year-old Bangladeshi labourer living in Abu Dhabi developed symptoms and was admitted to hospital in a critical condition.
Although rare in the UAE, six months earlier a 73-year-old man who had frequent contact with camels died after contracting the virus, and another 85-year-old woman also tested positive for the virus.
Last week, the Who reported that 10 people had caught Mers after an outbreak in the haemodialysis unit of a hospital in Saudi Arabia.
Of those cases, the first were first reported at the end of February at Wadi Al Dawasir, in Riyadh province. A 32-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man showed symptoms and were treated in hospital in the first few days of March. Both were later confirmed to have Mers.
Since the first reported cases in September 2012, 1,935 people have been confirmed as having Mers and there have been at least 690 related deaths, according to the Who.
The largest outbreak so far occurred in 2015 in South Korea, where 186 cases were recorded in just two months and they are believed to have originated from a man who travelled in the Arabian Gulf.
Mers generally kills about 36 per cent of sufferers.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it had provided up-to-date information for travellers to the region.
“CDC is working with partners to better understand the risks of this virus, including the source, how it spreads and how infections might be prevented,” a spokesman said.
“CDC has provided information for travellers and is working with health departments, hospitals and other partners to prepare for additional cases.”
For more information on Mers, visit the CDC Mers website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers.
nwebster@thenational.ae
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Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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Recipe
Garlicky shrimp in olive oil
Gambas Al Ajillo
Preparation time: 5 to 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
180ml extra virgin olive oil; 4 to 5 large cloves of garlic, minced or pureed (or 3 to 4 garlic scapes, roughly chopped); 1 or 2 small hot red chillies, dried (or ¼ teaspoon dried red chilli flakes); 400g raw prawns, deveined, heads removed and tails left intact; a generous splash of sweet chilli vinegar; sea salt flakes for seasoning; a small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Method
▶ Heat the oil in a terracotta dish or frying pan. Once the oil is sizzling hot, add the garlic and chilli, stirring continuously for about 10 seconds until golden and aromatic.
▶ Add a splash of sweet chilli vinegar and as it vigorously simmers, releasing perfumed aromas, add the prawns and cook, stirring a few times.
▶ Once the prawns turn pink, after 1 or 2 minutes of cooking, remove from the heat and season with sea salt flakes.
▶ Once the prawns are cool enough to eat, scatter with parsley and serve with small forks or toothpicks as the perfect sharing starter. Finish off with crusty bread to soak up all that flavour-infused olive oil.
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Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
The cost of Covid testing around the world
Egypt
Dh514 for citizens; Dh865 for tourists
Information can be found through VFS Global.
Jordan
Dh212
Centres include the Speciality Hospital, which now offers drive-through testing.
Cambodia
Dh478
Travel tests are managed by the Ministry of Health and National Institute of Public Health.
Zanzibar
AED 295
Zanzibar Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, located within the Lumumba Secondary School compound.
Abu Dhabi
Dh85
Abu Dhabi’s Seha has test centres throughout the UAE.
UK
From Dh400
Heathrow Airport now offers drive through and clinic-based testing, starting from Dh400 and up to Dh500 for the PCR test.
