7 New Cases of MERS-CoV in Saudi Arabia are Reported

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

Between Sept. 29, 2014 and Oct. 11, 2014, seven additional cases of MERS-CoV infection were reported, including one death, with details as follows:
A 69-year-old male from Taif City who developed symptoms on Sept. 17, 2014. The patient has comorbidities and his possible contact with animals and consumption of raw camel products is currently under investigation.
A 65-year-old male from Jubail City who developed symptoms on Sept. 24, 2014. The patient has comorbidities, frequent contact with camels and frequently consumes raw camel milk.
A 70-year-old male from Alhenakiah City who developed symptoms on Sept. 24, 2014. The patient has comorbidities, frequent contact with camels and frequently consumes raw camel milk.
A 60-year-old male from Geiya city who developed symptoms on Oct. 1, 2014. The patient has comorbidities, frequent contact with camels and frequently consumes raw camel milk.
A 51-year-old male from Haradh City who developed symptoms on Sept. 30, 2014. The case died on 05 October 2014. The patient had comorbidities, frequent contact with camels and frequently consumed raw camel milk.
A 77-year-old male from Taif City who developed symptoms on Oct. 3, 2014. The patient has comorbidities and became infected while hospitalized.
A 50-year-old non-national male from Najran City who developed symptoms on Oct. 3, 2014. He reported no history of contact with animals, but resides in an area with heavy presence of camel farms.

The tracing of household contacts is ongoing for these cases.

In addition, the deaths of four previously reported MERS-CoV cases from Saudi Arabia were also reported.

Following a retrospective review of laboratory records in non-Ministry of Health hospitals, the National IHR Focal Point of SAU has also reported 19 additional cases of MERS-CoV infection, including 11 deaths. Of the additional cases, one occurred in August 2013, two occurred in March 2014, 10 occurred in April 2014 and six occurred in May 2014.

Of the additional cases reported by SAU, 79 percent (15 people) are Saudi nationals. Sixteen of the reported cases resided in Jeddah, two in Kharj and one in Dhahran. The median age is 56 years (ranging from 27 to 89), 68 percent (13/19) were men, and 11 percent (2/19) of the reported cases were healthcare workers.

The retrospective identification of these 19 cases does not alter the pattern and dynamic of the epidemic and the global risk assessment remains unchanged.

In addition, SAU notified WHO of one false positive case reported in a cohort of cases that occurred between April 11, 2014 and June 9, 2014. SAU also reported that one case had been reported twice and was therefore a duplicate case.

Globally, 877 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV including at least 317 related deaths have been reported to WHO. The total case count removes the false positive case and the duplicate case reported above.

Source: WHO