Two Orlando health workers ill after exposure to MERS patient

[FarCenter]

May 13 (Reuters) - Two health workers at a hospital in Orlando, Florida, who were exposed to a patient with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome have begun showing flu-like symptoms, and one of the two has been hospitalized.

Officials at the Dr. P. Phillips Hospital said on Tuesday the two healthcare workers were exposed to the patient - the second confirmed case of MERS on U.S. soil - in the emergency department before it became clear that he might be infected with the virus, which is often deadly.

The second healthcare worker is being isolated in his home and watched for signs of infection.

Hospital and local health officials said at a press conference that the MERS patient, also a healthcare worker, had made a visit last week to the Orlando Regional Medical Center to accompany another person who was having a medical procedure. The MERS patient was symptomatic at the time, but did not seek treatment.

Five healthcare workers from the regional medical center and another 15 from the Dr. P. Phillips Hospital are being tested for MERS, including the two patients who have developed symptoms.

Hospital officials said they are awaiting test results to determine whether any of the exposed hospital workers have MERS.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/13/usa-health-mers-idUSL1N0NZ14Y20140513

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. Wonder how many of the patients in the ER were exposed?

and perhaps hospitals should provide training to healthcare staff on symptoms?

"The MERS patient was symptomatic at the time, but did not seek treatment."