Six Filipino paramedics contract MERS-CoV working in UAE, one dies

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Interior has reported a cluster of six cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in six Filipino paramedics that were working for the Al Ain Rescue and Ambulance Section in the city of Al Ain.

A release from the Abu Dhabi Police today reports that one of the Pinoy health workers succumbed to the novel coronavirus. The ministry said the surviving paramedics have been placed in isolation and that health officials are tracing patients transported to hospitals by the ambulance company to see if there are any other MERS-CoV infections.

The ministry announced that it has taken all necessary preventive health measures by placing the patients under quarantine. “The ministry has also been in touch with community members who have been transferred lately to hospitals to check on their health condition by precaution,” they state.

The number of MERS-CoV in the UAE is now at 27. According to the World Health Organization, globally there has been a total of 212 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 88 deaths. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)
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