Pakistan has reported its first case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), a virus first identified in 2012, confirmed by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and local health authorities. The infected individual, a 55-year-old man from Kharian, Gujrat, had recently returned from a Middle Eastern country. He landed at Islamabad airport on September 3 and was admitted to a hospital in Jhelum the next day due to shortness of breath and heart problems.
While he was hospitalized, WHO and the health authorities from the Middle East informed Pakistan’s National Institute of Health (NIH) that he had tested positive for MERS-CoV before his departure. Initially, local health officials kept the case confidential, even from the hospital staff where the patient was admitted. He was later transferred to Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) in Rawalpindi, where he spent several days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) before being successfully treated and discharged.
Health officials subsequently tested over 40 individuals who had been in contact with the patient, all of whom tested negative for the virus. The patient has since returned home to Kharian.
MERS-CoV, a viral respiratory illness that differs from COVID-19, has been reported in 27 countries and carries a mortality rate of around 36%. It is most commonly transmitted from dromedary camels to humans, although human-to-human transmission has been observed, particularly in healthcare settings. Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, with severe cases leading to respiratory distress, especially in individuals with preexisting health conditions like diabetes or lung disease.
In response to this case, Pakistan has enforced strict contact tracing, increased monitoring of respiratory illnesses in hospitals, and provided refresher training for healthcare workers. While WHO has stated that no special screening measures at entry points are necessary, countries are encouraged to maintain vigilance against acute respiratory infections. Despite concerns, travel and trade restrictions have not been advised.
The incident emphasizes the importance of swift public health responses and early detection to limit the virus’s spread. As MERS-CoV continues to circulate in camels, health experts stress the importance of maintaining hygiene practices and responsible interactions with animals to prevent further transmission.
