MERS Outbreak in US - Florida Update 140512

A second case of The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has been confirmed in Orlando, Florida this time, and has been confirmed by the CDC.  More information will be available on tonight’s Situational Preparedness show, at its new day and time , 5pm est. on Mondays.

Coming from the CDC Media briefing, this afternoon, it is confirmed that there is no relationship between the Indiana case and this one, except for the fact that both victims were health care workers in Saudi Arabia.  The symptoms of the illness in both cases are very similar. This is a good sign, it makes it easier for doctors to track and identify and it also means that it has not mutated.

The patient in the Florida case traveled from Saudi Arabia on May 1 From Jetta, SA to London, England then to Boston, MA then to Atlanta, GA, then to Orlando, FLA.  The patient was hospitalized on May 8th at a local Orlando hospital. The CDC stated on multiple occasions that they do not believe that those on the flights are in jeopardy, however they have begun notify those who were on the flights.  But this does illustrates how a contagious pandemic can spread in one day!

USA Emergency Broadcasting Network is working on confirming more information and a Press conference is scheduled for later this afternoon. As more information is confirmed, USAEBN will announce it on our website and our social media outlets. You can also listen to our 24 hour digital broadcasting station for any fast breaking news on this subject (website) (mobile)

MERS, so far, has a revised death rate of about 30% and is highly contagious with close contact of the patient who is extremely sick with pneumonia. The death rate is falling due to better monitoring systems coming online and identifying symptoms of MERS earlier than before.