Incidence, management and outcome of MERS CoV outbreak in a hospital, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Nadira A. Al-Baghli, Shorok Ali Al Dorazi, Randa Mohammed S. Nooh. Mariam Hassan Zainaldeen, Saleh M. Alsahi, Amina Ahmed Al Talib, Amira, Radi ALBannai, Farha Abdul Adeem Al Marhoon, Laila Mubarak Buhelaiqa, Alia M. Albaharnah, Nadia Abbas H. Al-Baghli,BS,, Ali A. Rabaan, Darin A. alkhars

Background: In August 2014, there was a striking rise in positive cases of MERS-CoV was reported at a Hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia (KSA) after unprotected exposure to a MERS-CoV patient. This study aims to report the outbreak of MERS-CoV in the hospital and the response implemented.
Methods: Rapid response team was activated and mobilized to the hospital. Epidemic investigation was conducted. Epidemiological data of patients and health care workers in relation to unprotected exposure was collected. Based on risk stratification, expanded surveillance among health care workers was conducted. A plan was initiated and implemented by the rapid response team in collaboration with the hospital’s stakeholders and designated staff. The plan consisted of many aspects, including case finding and management, strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures, health care education, and their implementation. This was continued for 14 days after the last laboratory confirmed results.
Results: During the surveillance period, 8 HCWs (2 physicians, 6 nurses), and two patients in addition to the index case were positive to MERS CoV. One physician, a nurse and 2 patients had no direct contact with the index case. No additional cases were identified after gap identification and strict implementation of infection prevention and control measures at the hospital.
Conclusions: This outbreak of MERS-CoV was contained after implementing appropriate infection prevention and control measures. Early case identification and risk stratification might have played a major role in containing the cluster. This study highlights the importance of health care workers awareness, especially those on the front lines, and their response to case definition of MERS-CoV in KSA.

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