Qatar notified the World Health Organization (WHO) that laboratory investigations have confirmed the presence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in three camels, the organization said Friday, SIA reports citing Xinhua.
The camels were among a herd of 14 animals in a barn, with which two confirmed human infections reported in October had contact, according to the WHO.
It said these results showed that camels could be infected with MERS-CoV but there was insufficient information to indicate the role camels and other animals may be playing in the possible transmission of the virus, including to and from humans.
As a precautionary measure, the 14 camels on the farm have been isolated.
All contacts of the two confirmed human cases, as well as the other worker employed in this barn, have been screened and laboratory tests were all negative for MERS-CoV, said the WHO.
The Qatar health authorities are going to test additional samples from other animal species around the barn and will conduct further studies to evaluate the infection risk among individuals in close contact with animals.
The WHO advised people at high risk of severe disease due to MERS-CoV to avoid close contact with animals when visiting farms or barn areas where the virus is known to be potentially circulating.
The general public should observe general hygiene measures such as regular hand washing before and after touching animals visiting a farm or a barn, avoid contact with sick animals and follow food hygiene practices.
From September 2012 to date, the WHO has been informed of a global total of 160 lab-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 68 deaths.
Bütün xəbərlər Facebook səhifəmizdə
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
USD
EUR
GBP
RUB