Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — A number of experts and schoolteachers have been trying to dispel fears about the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which they said has been blown out of proportion by rumors and social networking sites. They said Saudi society has successfully dealt with diseases and epidemics in the past and MERS can be confined to hospitals only if rumors were avoided and proper procedures implemented by concerned bodies. Abdullah Al-Qarni, a schoolteacher, said MERS has resulted in a limited number of deaths while many patients fully recovered from the viral disease. “There are around 2 million students of both genders in Saudi schools and education officials are keen to maintain the safety of students. The Health Department at the Ministry of Education should play a great role in educating students and parents on how to avoid the disease," he said. Fellow teacher Yahya Al-Zahrani accused users of social networking sites and the media of creating unnecessary panic. He, however, said a lack of transparency by the Ministry of Health contributed to fueling rumors. "The actual situation in schools is comforting and there is no need to panic. I can assure the public that there has not been a single case of the disease among students and no student has been absent because of fears of catching the disease," he said. Al-Zahrani said the Ministry of Education should distribute brochures explaining the preventive measures students and parents can take to avoid contracting the disease. "The number of deaths from traffic accidents is much greater than the actual deaths from the disease and there is no need for panic," he added. Dr. Mohammad Halawani, a consultant in communicable diseases, said to contract MERS, one must be with a patient in a closed environment. He added that the panic spell is due to the fact that the viral disease is fairly new and resembles previous diseases that have appeared in the Kingdom. "Most cases of infections occur in elderly people or those who have chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. However, the younger population typically has better immunity and school classrooms are well ventilated, which greatly decreases the possibility of spreading the disease in schools," he said. Consultant Dr. Reem Abu Haimed said fear of the disease is natural as long as the disease exists but said people should trust what officials say. "Rumors on social networking sites have distorted the facts, which caused many people to believe that they are besieged. It is important that people rely on information from official sources and dismiss what they read on social networking sites," she said. "I have conducted research on the disease and learned that the number of deaths is limited to a few and that many patients have fully recovered from the disease," she added. "Eating well-balanced meals that contain vitamins and minerals to increase immunity, maintaining personal hygiene and avoiding crowded areas should be enough to avoid the disease," she added.
