Bahrain is stepping up preventive measures to avert any outbreak of the Sars-like coronavirus.  The Ministry of Health has intensified epidemiological monitoring and prepared guidelines for health workers on dealing with suspected cases of coronavirus-in coordination with competent authorities.  The ministry has also coordinated with the Bahrain International Airport and taken pre-emptive measures, in addition to supplying passengers with health tips.  It stressed the importance of taking health precautions during or after travel, urging passengers to seek medical attention and inform health care providers of the places they had had visited in care they develop symptoms of respiratory diseases.  The ministry said that it is closely and continuously following up with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the GCC countries developments of the coronavirus outbreak in China, adding that immediate measures would be taken based on the WHO instructions.

In a statement issued today, the ministry indicated that there are no suspected cases in in Bahrain, the Arab Gulf region and the Eastern Mediterranean region according to available monitoring data.