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Editorial
. 2014 Jun;55(6):294-7.
doi: 10.11622/smedj.2014076.

Debate on MERS-CoV respiratory precautions: surgical mask or N95 respirators?

S J Chung  1 , M L Ling, W H Seto, B S Ang, P A Tambyah
Affiliations
Editorial

Debate on MERS-CoV respiratory precautions: surgical mask or N95 respirators?

S J Chung et al. Singapore Med J. 2014 Jun.

Abstract

Since the emergence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in mid-2012, there has been controversy over the respiratory precaution recommendations in different guidelines from various international bodies. Our understanding of MERS-CoV is still evolving. Current recommendations on infection control practices are heavily influenced by the lessons learnt from severe acute respiratory syndrome. A debate on respiratory precautions for MERS-CoV was organised by Infection Control Association (Singapore) and the Society of Infectious Disease (Singapore). We herein discuss and present the evidence for surgical masks for the protection of healthcare workers from MERS-CoV.

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References

    1. World Health Organization (WHO). Global Alert and Response (GAR): Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)— update. 23 April 2014 [online] [Accessed April 24 2014]. Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/don/2014_04_23_mers/en/
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) [online] [Accessed April 24 2014]. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/
    1. World Health Organization (WHO). Global Alert and Response (GAR):Coronavirus infections [online] [Accessed April 24, 2014]. Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/don/archive/disease/coronavirus_infections/en/
    1. World Health Organization (WHO). Global Alert and Response (GAR): Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)– update. 17 April, 2014 [online] [Accessed April 24 2014]. Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/don/2014_04_17_mers/en/
    1. World Health Organization (WHO). Infection prevention and control during health care for probable or confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (nCoV) infection: interim guidance, 6 May. 2013

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