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Manchester Royal Infirmary A&E unit closed over virus outbreak Manchester Royal Infirmary A&E unit closed over Mers outbreak
(35 minutes later)
Manchester Royal Infirmary has shut its A&E unit after a suspected Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak. Manchester Royal Infirmary has shut its A&E unit after a suspected outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.
The hospital confirmed the emergency department was closed temporarily while two patients are investigated for the condition. The hospital said the emergency department was closed temporarily while two patients are investigated for the condition.
A spokesman said the patients had been isolated for treatment and there was "no significant risk to public health".
BBC health correspondent Dominic Hughes said it was a "big step" for a hospital to close an A&E department.
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".
Manchester Royal Infirmary's A&E department "will be closed until further notice while further investigations take place," the spokesman added.Manchester Royal Infirmary's A&E department "will be closed until further notice while further investigations take place," the spokesman added.
'Big step''Big step'
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) is passed to people in close contact and is similar to the Sars virus. The first Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) fatality was recorded in June 2012 in Saudi Arabia.
The first Mers fatality was recorded in June 2012 in Saudi Arabia. It is passed to people in close contact and is similar to the Sars virus.
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".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: "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. He said Mers has been spotted in 26 countries, including in the UK in 2013, where it was detected on four occasions, resulting in three deaths.
Patients who would usually travel to the Manchester Royal Infirmary are being diverted to hospitals in South Manchester and Salford.