Fifiteen in contact with MERS-CoV quarantined

KAJANG: Fifteen people who came in contact with the 54-year-old man who died from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been placed under quarantine.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S.Subramaniam said they have been tracking down people ever since they diagnosed the man with the disease on April 10.
"The 15 people will be quarantined for 42 days and will be closely monitored by the health authorities for symptoms of the disease," he told reporters when met at the Kajang Hospital today.
The victim who returned from Umrah on March 29 on board the Turkish Airlines (TK93 and TK60) died of MERS-CoV complications on Sunday at Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital in Batu Pahat, Johor.
"We have yet to ascertain from which source the victim got infected in the Middle East," said Dr Subramaniam.
However, he said, their advice to Malaysians going for Umrah is to avoid going to a camel farm and to stay away from the animal.
"We also advise the pilgrims to strictly adhere to personal hygiene including washing their hands regularly," he added.
Earlier, Dr Subramaniam commended Hai-O Foundation for initiating the sponsoring of six units of haemodialysis machines costing RM34,000 each for the hospital's haemodialysis centre. The new ones will replace some of the old ones from the 15 machines it currently has.
The centre provides dialysis for 45 critical patients three times a week and has another 18 critical patients on the waiting list.
Passengers who were on board the Turkish Airlines on March 29 or family members and friends who came in contact with the victim are urged to contact the ministry at 603-88810600/0700 from Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm or call 013-6699700.