The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued an All Facilities Letter alerting healthcare facilities to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and providing guidelines for preventing its spread. The letter highlights the importance of heightened surveillance, infection control, and laboratory precautions. Healthcare facilities are encouraged to review their preparedness plans, evaluate patients with severe respiratory illness for recent travel history, implement appropriate infection control measures, and immediately report suspected MERS-CoV cases to local health departments. The letter also outlines criteria for evaluating patients for novel coronavirus infection and provides infection control guidance and laboratory biosafety recommendations. Facilities must comply with these guidelines to prevent the spread of MERS-CoV and protect the health and well-being of Californians.

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