This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-33675356
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Manchester Royal Infirmary A&E unit closed over virus outbreak | Manchester Royal Infirmary A&E unit closed over virus outbreak |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Manchester Royal Infirmary has shut its A&E unit after a suspected Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak. | |
| The hospital confirmed the emergency department was closed temporarily while two patients are investigated for the condition. | |
| A hospital spokesman said: "Both patients have been isolated for ongoing clinical treatment and management of their condition." | A hospital spokesman said: "Both patients have been isolated for ongoing clinical treatment and management of their condition." |
| He said there was "no significant risk to public health". | He said there was "no significant risk to public health". |
| Manchester Royal Infirmary's A&E department "will be closed until further notice while further investigations take place," the spokesman added. | |
| 'Big step' | |
| Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) is passed to people in close contact and is similar to the Sars virus. | |
| The first Mers fatality was recorded in June 2012 in Saudi Arabia. | |
| BBC health correspondent Dominic Hughes said it was a "big step for a hospital to close an A&E" but the move would be part of its "standard infection control procedures". | |
| He said: "Although it doesn't transfer from person to person easily it is healthcare workers who are at the greatest risk of infection." | |
| He said Mers has been spotted in 26 countries, including in the UK in 2013. |