15 Cases of MERS-CoV in Saudi Arabia are Reported to WHO

The National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia has reported additional laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Between Aug. 11, 2014 and Sept. 28, 014, 15 cases of infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) including four deaths were reported to WHO.

During September 2014, Saudi Arabia reported 11 MERS-CoV cases, including two deaths, from Taif (5), Riyadh (3), Najran (1), Jubail (1) and Raniah (1). The median age of the 11 cases is 43 years old (ranging from 27 to 76 years old) and 10 (91%) are men. Six cases (55%) suffered one or more co-morbidities, two (18%) reported contact with animals (e.g. sheep or camel) or the consumption of raw camel milk, and four (36%) are reported as healthcare workers or work in healthcare settings.

In August 2014, Saudi Arabia reported four MERS-CoV cases, including 2 deaths, from Jubail (2) Riyadh (1), Najran (1). The median age of the four cases is 64 years old (ranging from 34 to 72 years old) and all (100%) are men. Three cases (75%) suffered one or more co-morbidities, two (50%) reported contact with animals or the consumption of raw camel milk, and one case (25%) is a healthcare worker.

The National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia also notified WHO of the death of four MERS-CoV cases previously reported to WHO in June and July 2014. The National IHR Focal Point of Greece has also notified WHO of the death of the Greek patient who had been receiving treatment for MERS-CoV infection in Greece, and was previously reported to WHO.

The total numbers of globally reported cases and deaths have also been updated taking into consideration a review of cases by WHO member states. Globally, 852 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV including at least 301 related deaths have been reported to WHO.

With the annual pilgrimage of Hajj underway, WHO encourages its member states to review WHO’s travel advice on MERS-CoV for pilgrimages, published in June 2014.

Based on the current situation and available information, WHO encourages all of its member states to continue their surveillance for acute respiratory infections and to carefully review any unusual patterns.

Infection prevention and control measures are critical to prevent the possible spread of MERS-CoV in healthcare facilities. It is not always possible to identify patients with MERS-CoV early because like other respiratory infections, the early symptoms of MERS-CoV are non-specific. Therefore, healthcare workers should always apply standard precautions consistently with all patients, regardless of their diagnosis. Droplet precautions should be added to the standard precautions when providing care to patients with symptoms of acute respiratory infection; contact precautions and eye protection should be added when caring for probable or confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection; airborne precautions should be applied when performing aerosol generating procedures.

Until more is understood about MERS-CoV, people with diabetes, renal failure, chronic lung disease, and immunocompromised persons are considered to be at high risk of severe disease from MERS-CoV infection. Therefore, these people should avoid close contact with animals, particularly camels, when visiting farms, markets, or barn areas where the virus is known to be potentially circulating.

General hygiene measures such as regular handwashing before and after touching animals and avoiding contact with sick animals, should be adhered to.

Food hygiene practices should be observed. People should avoid drinking raw camel milk or camel urine, or eating meat that has not been properly cooked.

WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event nor does it currently recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions.

Source: WHO