Outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus Causes High Fatality After Cardiac Operations

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Rakan I Nazer1

  • 1Department of Cardiac Science, King Fahad Cardiac Center, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|July 24, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV) caused a deadly outbreak in a cardiac surgery ward. A patient with MERS-CoV led to 5 deaths among 6 cardiac surgery patients.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV), a severe pneumonia, emerged in Saudi Arabia in 2012.
  • MERS-CoV presents a significant public health challenge due to its high mortality rate.
  • Nosocomial transmission of MERS-CoV is a critical concern in healthcare settings.

Observation:

  • A patient incubating MERS-CoV was admitted to a cardiac surgery ward in January 2015.
  • The patient presented with symptoms initially suggestive of acute coronary syndrome.
  • This admission preceded the identification of MERS-CoV in the patient.

Findings:

  • The MERS-CoV case initiated an outbreak within the cardiac surgery ward.
  • Six patients undergoing cardiac operations were exposed to MERS-CoV.
  • Five of the six exposed patients died as a result of the MERS-CoV infection.

Implications:

  • Highlights the risk of MERS-CoV transmission in hospital settings, particularly among vulnerable patient populations.
  • Underscores the importance of early MERS-CoV detection and isolation protocols in emergency departments and specialized wards.
  • Emphasizes the need for enhanced surveillance and infection control measures to prevent nosocomial outbreaks of MERS-CoV.

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