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The Arab Hygiene Council is urging people to undertake good hygiene practice, as a preventative measure, in response to the reports that the first case of the novel coronavirus (Mers) has been detected in the UAE.

Cases of Mers first emerged in patients in health care facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan in March 2012, and recently in the UAE, UK and France.

Arab Hygiene Council member, Dr Muhammad Halwani, consultant in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology said: “Following the reports of the confirmed case of the Mers in the UAE, we urge the public to become more vigilant when it comes to their personal hygiene practices.

“We know that good hygiene including hand washing, good respiratory hygiene and disinfection of commonly touched surfaces can help prevent the spread of coronaviruses. Practising good hygiene is everyone’s responsibility, and something we can do easily for ourselves.”

Whilst there is not yet evidence of the mechanism of transmission precisely of this strain (also known as a “SARS-like virus”), from person to person in the wider community, there is no vaccine currently available for Mers, therefore sticking to the basic internationally known prevention measures is key.

The advice from the Arab Hygiene Council is particularly relevant during the Holy Month of Ramadan when the transmission of respiratory infections and food contamination is increased with family members and friends gathering in large groups to break their fast each evening.

The Arab Hygiene Council outlined a number of useful preventative measures to be taken to reduce the spread of the illness including; avoid close contact with people who appear unwell especially with the ones who have severe respiratory illness-like symptoms; practise good hand hygiene; regularly disinfect hand contact surfaces such as door handles, taps and light switches especially in work offices and if you feel unwell with respiratory illness-like symptoms stay at home and contact a doctor.

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