CDC confirms first case of MERS virus in America at Indiana hospital

MUNSTER, Ind. (WLS) -- The Centers for Disease Control says they have found the first case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the U.S. The patient is currently being treated at Community Hospital in Munster, Ind.

"This particular person is doing well," said Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, "doing better than when he was admitted. He is only requiring supplemental oxygen, no ventilation at all. We understand that he is stable." The patient is a healthcare provider who is believed to have contracted the virus in Saudi Arabia. The first leg of the patient's trip was a flight from Riyadh to London last week. He was on a flight last Thursday, April 24, 2014 from London to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, and then took a bus to Indiana. Public officials have not revealed the airline or the bus company.

The patient developed symptoms Sunday, including fever, coughing and shortness of breath. The patient was admitted into an Indiana hospital on Monday, put into isolation and is now recovering. Public health officials say the CDC will contact the other passengers onboard the plane and the bus.

"The gentleman, he's a healthcare worker and works in Saudi Arabia," said Hasbrouck. "He was traveling back from there, and was having symptoms, these severe respiratory symptoms, and came into medical attention. We diagnosed via lab result in Indiana state labs that it was MERS."

Karen E. Pride, director of media relations for the Chicago Department of Aviation said, "The CDA has been advised there is no reason to suspect any risk at O'Hare. There has only been one individual confirmed to have MERS-CoV and is hospitalized in Indiana."

"We do not have reports of any other patients ill with the MERS-Corona virus in this investigation," said Dr. Anne Schuchat, Assistant Surgeon General, "but it's a very active investigation, and it's very early."

The MERS virus was first discovered in the Arabian Peninsula two years ago. Since then, Saudi Arabian officials say it has sickened 339 people in that country and killed a third of the patients. The illness comes from the same group of viruses as the common cold and attacks the respiratory system.

"You cough on someone, you sneeze on someone," said Hasbrouck. "It's aerosolized, and then someone comes along and breathes it in like the seasonal flu."

U.S health official say there is a low risk to the general public but to be cautious health officials will be tracking any health care workers and family members who come in close contact with the patient. The virus has about a fourteen day incubation period.