Minister alleviates virus scare concerns
Turkish Health Minister, Mehmet Müezzinoğlu, assuaged the public after subsequent suspected cases of Ebola and coronavirus gripped Turkey.Speaking to A Haber TV, Müezzinoğlu said there are no cases of Ebola and seven patients initially diagnosed with MERS coronavirus are undergoing treatment. "People shouldn't panic. We have all measures in place. We don't have a state of emergency or alarming cases of MERS or Ebola," Müezzinoğlu said. Seven suspected coronavirus cases surfaced over the past couple of days in Istanbul and several other Turkish cities, and all patients were returnees from the hajj, an annual Muslim pilgrimage performed in Saudi Arabia where the coronavirus has killed dozens. Müezzinoğlu said doctors continue to monitor the patients and a full diagnosis will determine whether they have the virus soon. As for Ebola, Müezzinoğlu said all eight suspected cases turned out to be malaria, and that the measures for identifying and containing contagious diseases include screening suspected patients on arrival in Turkey, effective and immediate quarantine of those patients from the point of arrival to the nearest hospital and a quarantine lockdown of hospital services for patients suspected of having Ebola or coronavirus.The minister said some airports are being disinfected under the instruction of local governorates and "that triggers a scare among the public." "Disinfection of the airports are unnecessary and we warned local authorities to end this practice in order to prevent a likely panic in the public. We informed them about the required health measures. I also urge the media not to create an air of fear while reporting these cases," he said.Müezzinoğlu said they were on alert since the first cases of MERS coronavirus were reported in the world and had measures in place for Ebola for more than six months. He also said that 45 hospitals in 36 cities along border areas and all major international airports were fully equipped to respond to virus cases and transfer a patient from the airport to a hospital, which have also been provided with quarantine units and medical staff equipped with protective clothing.Turkish nationals who wrapped up their pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia earlier this month are the primary individuals at risk of contracting coronavirus. Pilgrims complaining of high fever and vomiting, which are among two symptoms of the virus, are hospitalized almost daily across the country. The Turkish Health Ministry had already screened some 59,000 pilgrims against the virus and medical staff pays home visits to pilgrims to check against the symptoms of coronavirus.
Last Update: October 23, 2014 11:13