(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Health authorities in the UAE are keeping a close watch on the new respiratory virus that has seriously affected at least three people, killing one of them in the Middle East.
A Qatari man is critically ill at a London hospital while, earlier this year, a Saudi national died from the same strain of coronavirus that is related to Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and common cold, according to World Health Organisation.
The health body issued a global alert on Monday for the virus assuring that the virus was not Sars that had swept China in 2003 killing 800 and infecting over 8,000 worldwide.
No travel restrictions have been issued.
Local health authorities have assured that there is no cause for concern.
Don't panic, said the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD) on Tuesday. Dr Farida Al Hosani, manager of Communicable Diseases at the HAAD, said there is currently not enough information about the virus, and "cannot say if it is dangerous or not" to warrant cautionary measure at this stage for those going for Haj.
Thus, "it is wiser not to spread panic among the people. We have no other information regarding its relationship to the Haj pilgrims," she stated.
"We are waiting for the WHO and coordinating with other health facilities abroad. We don't know anything about it, so we can't forecast for now," she told the Press during this year's launch of the Haj vaccination programme in Abu Dhabi.
Dr Fatma Al Attar, Head of Preventive Services at the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), "In light of the current situation, the DHA in collaboration with Ministry of Health is closely following the WHO and Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (USA)."
She said that in addition to the routine vaccinations, complete information on the new virus will be provided to the UAE residents going for Haj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage taking place next month in Saudi Arabia.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that include causes of the common cold but can also include more severe illness such as Sars. The new virus may cause common cold symptoms including fever but has also caused kidney failure in the Qatari patient.
People prone to serious symptoms are those with low immunity including children below five, elderly above the age of 65, people with chronic diseases like HIV and TB and those taking immunosuppressant medication for cancer, she said.
"There are so many types and subtypes of flu viruses and the flu vaccine cannot provide protection for all these viruses," added Dr Al Attar.
Most coronavirus infections go undiagnosed and the disease is self-limiting. "This means that patients may need only fever medication and the symptoms go away in five to seven days," she said. Dr Al Attar said the DHA, each year, carries out general awareness campaigns for all Haj pilgrims including health advice and what vaccinations should be taken.
"This year we will include information about this virus and precautions that they need to take to protect their health," she added.
Vaccinations for Haj pilgrims include those for menocal meningitis in addition to the flu vaccine which is advised for patients with low immunity.
She said by maintaining a good personal hygiene, people could prevent the disease.
The UAE Ministry of Health refused to comment on the issue.
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