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Sunday, March 31, 2013

Health Authority Abu Dhabi tests for Sars-like virus that killed Emirati


 Dhabi's Sheikh Khalifa Medical Centre is handling testing for the novel coronavirus. Philip Cheung / The National

Health Authority Abu Dhabi tests for Sars-like virus that killed Emirati

ABU DHABI // The emirate's health authority has confirmed today that it is working with the Ministry of Health and other bodies to monitor a Sars-like virus.
Heath Authority Abu Dhabi (Haad) released a statement this morning confirming it is coordinating with the Ministry of Health and Dubai Health Authority, as well as all other concerned authorities in the country, in monitoring the coronavirus.
The statement comes after an Emirati man died in a hospital in Munich, Germany, last week after contracting the novel coronavirus (NCoV) infection.
It is not known where he contracted the virus, although he had recently visited Saudi Arabia, where most cases have originated.
He is the 11th person to die out of 17 cases reported to the World Health Organisation (Who).
Haad said it has taken the necessary measures and precautions, as per the international standards and recommendations issued by Who.
"The authority confirms that there are no confirmed cases in the emirate and that the necessary test is available in the emirate of Abu Dhabi at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City," the statement read.
"Furthermore, the authority released a circular to all healthcare providers in the emirate back in December 2012 on the necessary notification and reporting mechanism on any suspected coronavirus cases."
It is healthcare providers' responsibility to refer patients who may be suspected of having the coronavirus to do the test.
* This is an updated version of this story.


Read more: http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/health/health-authority-abu-dhabi-tests-for-sars-like-virus-that-killed-emirati#ixzz2P7jOlkLl
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