Local health officials on Tuesday provided broad estimates of the number of people who might have been exposed to the MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) infection in Orlando, after a Saudi man remains hospitalized with the virus at the Dr. P. Phillips Hospital.
On a conference call with reporters today, health officials guessed that up to 100 persons might have been exposed, between the patient’s household family members, health care workers and visitors in a waiting room at the Orlando Regional Medical Center where the Saudi man waited for another patient to have a procedure. However, health officials believe that the risk of exposure to those people in the waiting room at ORMC is negligible.
Meanwhile, a health care worker who came in contact with the Saudi man before proper isolation procedures were introduced and who met the criteria for admission, has also been hospitalized. Tests results are being awaited to determine whether or not that individual has the MERS virus, officials said. Another team member has been sent home.
Health officials said too, test results are yet to be received regarding the Saudi man’s family who have been asked to remain at home and in isolation. It is believed that several are health care workers.
A total of 15 team members at the Dr. Phillips Hospital and 5 at the Orlando Regional Medical Center have been asked to stay off work for 14 days and to monitor themselves for any possible symptoms of the MERS virus. MERS symptoms are similar to flu – congestion, fever, pneumonia, diarrhoea and possible death. There is no available vaccine or specific treatment for the virus.
Dr. Kevin Sherin, Director for the Florida Department of Health in Orange County said, all necessary steps are being taken to protect and inform the public.
Asked whether there is a risk to tourists coming to Orlando and Central Florida, health officials said, they don’t believe so. However, given that Orlando is a major international travel destination, they expect there could be more MERS cases.
“Are we ready? I think we need to be. All hospitals and emergency rooms need to be proficient… with people coming from the Arabian Peninsula,” said Dr. Antonio Crespco, Infectious Disease Specialist and Chief Quality Officer at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital.
The Saudi man admitted on May 9, remains isolated at the Dr. P. Phillips Hospital and is “doing very well,” health officials said.
MERS is a new virus and was first reported in Saudia Arabia in 2012.
