US airports post MERS virus warnings
Following the second confirmed US case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), federal health agencies have issued warnings at 22 airports.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says travelers do not need to change travel plans but should take special precautions to prevent contracting or spreading the disease.
These include washing hands frequently with soap and water, avoid touching the face or close contact with other sick people.
The advisory has been issued for travel to the Mid-East region including Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE and Yemen.
The CDC asks all airline crew to report any passengers with MERS-like symptoms which may include fever, coughing, and apparent breathing difficulties.
The second MERS case, a resident of Saudi Arabia visiting Florida, is in isolation in an Orlando hospital
"The risk to the public remains very low," said Dr. Anne Schuchat of the CDC, however health officials are trying to contact all passengers the man may have come into contact with during his journey from the Gulf.
Yesterday, two Orlando hospital staff who fell ill after treating the patient have tested negative for the disease.
The World Health Organization said its concern over MERS had heightened in recent weeks but the disease has not yet posed a worldwide health emergency.
There have been over 500 cases of MERS so far over the last two years with almost a quarter proving fatal.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025