COMMITTEE: The World Health Organisation

TOPIC: Combatting the spread of MERS

MAIN SUBMITTER: Liberia
CO-SUBMITTERS: Guyana, Malaysia, Singapore, Republic of Korea, South Africa, France,
India, Australia, Ireland, Sierra Leone, Kenya, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Philippines.
Alarmed by the MERS outbreak in South Korea, which resulted in at least 36 deaths, over
100 civilians sickened and more than 2,000 schools closed; one of the largest impact outside
of Saudi Arabia,
Observing action plans that have been drawn up in order to minimize the risk of infection to
Hajj pilgrims entering the region of Saudi Arabia with a guide that addresses
recommendations for effective communication of risk information and advice on appropriate
actions before, during and after pilgrimages,
Having studied the efforts of the organization to further investigate the cause of outbreak for
the purpose of investigating cases of human infection with MERS-CoV, through a
questionnaire entailing an interview of cases of MERS-CoV infection,
Viewing with appreciation that the dedicated and multinational collaboration worldwide,
increases the chances of uncovering pivotal information in the fight to eradicate the spread
of MERS,
THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION,
1. Requests that governments from member states give their cooperation in giving out
information and reports related to the cases of MERS-CoV for statistic and researching
purposes.
a.
Member states report within 24 hours of known or confirmed cases of MERS-CoV to
WHO.
b.
To create better data collection of statistics for researching purposes, authorities
must be honest and to give full cooperation to the organization;
1.
Authorizes fever screening on travelers with the usage of infrared thermal camera
scanning at airports worldwide, to screen for symptoms related to MERS-CoV such as fever
by detecting extreme body temperature upon arrival of the travelers from affected countries:
a.
Further investigation through health declaration forms to further inquire the
level of exposure the virus as well as its past historic medical events that relates to
the outbreak
b.
Travelers are required to undergo a laboratory test if suspected or evaluated
as a carrier of the virus such as but not limited to tympanic screening test;
1.
Requires quarantine officers to take careful and strict measures when screening and
interviewing patients that are infected or at risk to have MERS-CoV;
1.
Encourages quarantine-related studies at affected countries to study the nature of
the virus in order to uproot any possible cause of outbreak in the current situation as well as
the possible future in ways such as but not limited to:
a.
Allocate funding specifically for the research purpose to further enhance the
possibilities of finding a remedy or vaccine towards the virus.
b.
Training health officers in-charge of screening to take careful procedures while
investigating through fever-screening related studies.

c.
Recommends that member states and pharmaceuticals to join forces and support the
idea of running clinical trials with immediate effect;
1.
Enforces a standardized procedure that is deemed proper in the disposal of medical
waste and/or subjects that are in contact with the virus and should be strictly followed by
health officers, hospitals and the society worldwide,
a.
To prepare a leakage-proof container before disposing materials such as but not
limited to:
i.
To follow the footsteps done on eradicating the Ebola virus outbreak, all
waste
that are contaminated with the virus, must be packaged and transported in accordance with
U.S. DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR, 49 CFR, Parts 171-180).
b.

Strongly advise the families to cremate the bodies of the deceased.

c.

To regulate situations in countries affected by the virus and to give full

conformation on the contagion cases observed over the given time period, in order to
declare a MERS-free zone;
1.
Calls upon the help of government, intergovernmental organization and nongovernmental organizations worldwide to provide humanitarian aid to developing countries
that are affected by the outbreak in relieving the pandemic situation and guide the society on
how to better eradicate the MERS-CoV in ways such as but not limited to:
a.
Extending the mandate of the UN Humanitarian Air Service international air
ambulance service to transport casualties or medical officers on for 24/7 hours daily to
hospitals under charity
i.
Suggesting mobile clinic or volunteers, mobilized by professional medical officers or
non-governmental organisation, for specific areas within developing countries affected by at
least one (1) MERS CoV tested positive case.
ii.

Having trained and professional doctors or medical personnel on standby with

updated information and are as prepared as possible on the outbreak for health support;
1.
Strongly advise Middle Eastern and other countries that export camel based goods to
regulate their export without conducting proper precautionary procedures that meets the
international safety standards;
1.
Requests that member states publicise causes, preventive measures, identification of
symptoms and action to be taken on suspected cases of MERS-CoV,

a.
To guide primary caregivers at home who are nursing the victims of the outbreak on
how to protect themselves from being infected and to take adequate preventive measures.
b.
To train medical personnel in hospitals on to how to handle patients that are infected
or evaluated for MERS-CoV.
c.
To educate the society on how MERS-CoV is spread and measures to be taken in
order to avoid being infected such as but not limited to :
i.
Avoid contact with vectors that can carry pathogens of the MERS-CoV like camels
and bats.
ii.

Activities such as the Haj pilgrims trip to Makkah, pilgrims should be monitored by a
legalized health institution after their visit.
b.
Strongly advise Middle Eastern and other countries that export camel based goods to
regulate their export without conducting proper precautionary procedures that meets the
international safety standards;

1.
Further request that developed countries will carry out their humanitarian
responsibilities in response to relieve the MERS-CoV epidemic in developing countries by
providing aid that enables medical help to the patients such as but not limited to:
a.
Provide more medical infrastructure like hospitals, mobile lab and mobile clinics in
rural areas.
b.
Exchange of medical technology and knowledge to further enhance the possibilities
of findings to eradicate MERS-CoV more effectively.
c.
Set up public infrastructure to better receive medical attention for the patients such
as roads, highways, airplane landings and whatnot to connect urban cities and rural areas
alike with convenience;
10. Decides to remain actively seized in the matter.