Health Ministry strengthens measures against coronavirus
By Amina Nazarli
Health Minister Ogtay Shiraliyev has signed an order to strengthen preventive measures against MERS coronavirus, which has so far infected many people in South Korea.
The document informs the heads of the city and regional medical agencies and health care workers about the coronavirus. It also urges doctors to send samples taken from patients with suspected cases to the Republican Anti-Plague Station, along with creating a stock of drugs for treating symptoms of the disease, and strengthening disinfection measures in health facilities.
The Health Ministry reported that the situation in the country is under the control and there are no cases of MERS infection.
Meanwhile, the Ministry is implementing measures to prevent the entry of the MERS into the country. The border crossing points control and monitor the flow of people arriving in Azerbaijan from states with the highest number of virus cases.
Middle East respiratory syndrome is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus — the same family of viruses that causes the common cold — called MERS-CoV.
The disease primarily causes fever, cough and shortness of breath. It also may include symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Pneumonia is common with MERS, and in some cases, it may cause injury to organs like the kidneys. The maximum incubation period for the disease is 14 days.
The Arabian Peninsula is where the virus was first identified in 2012. MERS is a virus that is transmitted from animals to humans.
The World Health Organization believes that camels are a likely source of the disease, however, the exact process of transmission is not yet known. The virus spreads through close contact.
So far, 25 countries in the Middle East, Europe and Asia have reported cases of MERS.
In May 2015, China and South Korea also joined the list in the largest known outbreak of the disease outside the Arabian Peninsula.
In South Korea, 185 people have been infected, 36 have died, and thousands have been under quarantine or observation as of July 22.
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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
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