Thursday, April 17, 2014

Osterholm & Mackay On MERS

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Coronavirus – Credit CDC PHIL

 

# 8489

 

Epidemiologist Michael Osterholm – Director of CIDRAP and Professor Ian Mackay – Virologist at the University of Queensland (and editor of VDU blog) are two of the smartest people I know when it comes to emerging infectious diseases. 

 

Today both voiced their concerns to AP reporter Adam Schreck, who penned a report on the growing MERS outbreak in the Middle East.

 

You’ll find a link, and the opening paragraph below. Follow the link to read about what Mike calls `a stay tuned moment’ in the ongoing epidemiological investigation.

 

Spate of Mideast Virus Infections Raises Concerns

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates April 17, 2014 (AP)

By ADAM SCHRECK Associated Press

A recent spate of infections from a frequently deadly Middle East virus is raising new worries about efforts to contain the illness, with infectious disease experts urging greater vigilance in combatting its spread.

 

More than 20 people, many of them health-care workers, have been reported infected with the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in two distinct clusters — one in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — likely involving human-to-human transmission since early last week.

(Continue . . .)