To date, no suspected, probable or confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome caused by the Corona virus (MERS-CoV) have been recorded in Da Nang, or in Viet Nam as a whole.  However, the municipal Department of Health has warned about the high risk of MERS spreading because Da Nang receives a total of 22 flights from South Korea every week, where the MERS outbreak has become the largest ever to occur outside of Saudi Arabia.

The Department has therefore taken numerous strong measures to ensure effective MERS detection and prevent any possible outbreak from occurring in the city.

In particular, passengers entering Da Nang from MERS-CoV-hit countries worldwide are being required to complete a medical declaration and have their body temperature checked at the city’s centres for International Health Quarantine which are located at the Da Nang International Airport and the Da Nang Port.  In addition, checks have been introduced in the community in order to promptly detect anyone arriving in the city by road and suspected of carrying this disease.

Today, 4 June, representatives from all hospitals across the city are attending a meeting to identify the main tasks in preparing medical equipment and facilities for isolating anyone showing any symptoms of MERS-CoV. 

According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, MERS-CoV has so far affected 1,154 people in 26 countries, 434 of whom have died.  In Asia, 4 countries have recorded MERS-CoV cases: the Philippines, Malaysia, the RoK, and China.

The disease can spread between people and causes fever, breathing problems, pneumonia and kidney failure. The death rate of people confirmed to have the virus is about 51%.  No vaccine is currently available.

To prevent the disease, the Department has recommended regular hand-washing with soap, using a mouthwash, covering the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, and avoiding direct contact with acute respiratory patients or sick animals.

Anyone returning from the Middle East suffering from fever, a cough or breathing difficulties within 14 days of their return should consult a doctor for tests.