MERS Co-V update
As of 30 August 2013, the total number of cases of MERS-CoV reported globally by the World Health Organization (WHO) is 108, including 50 deaths. The most recent cases were reported from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Cases in Saudi Arabia originated from Assir Region, Hafar Al-Batin city in the Eastern Region, Medina (Al Madinah) province, and Riyadh region. Two recent cases from Qatar were in a 59-year-old man who travelled to Medina province (Al Madinah), Saudi Arabia, and returned to Qatar with symptoms of MERS-CoV, and a 29-year-old man who had no history of recent travel outside the country. Although sustained person-to-person transmission has not been observed, limited person-to-person transmission has been reported either in a household, work environment, or healthcare setting. Although the source of infection remains unknown, investigation into possible animal reservoirs are ongoing. While new cases continue to occur in the Arabian Peninsula, no new cases have been exported since June, despite a surge in pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah during Ramadan. To date, primary MERS-CoV cases have been reported from Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). France, Germany, Italy, Tunisia and the United Kingdom have reported imported cases. The current situation does not meet the conditions for a public health emergency of international concern according to the WHO International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee concerning MERS-CoV. The WHO has not issued any travel restrictions to the Middle East in relation to MERS-CoV. Travellers returning from the Middle East and surrounding countries, with mild respiratory symptoms are most likely to have a common respiratory illness such as a cold. However, if severe respiratory symptoms develop, such as shortness of breath, within two weeks of returning from these countries, medical advice should be sought from their GP. Returning travellers should mention which countries they have visited.
As of 30 August 2013, the total number of cases of MERS-CoV reported globally by the World Health Organization (WHO) is 108, including 50 deaths. The most recent cases were reported from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Cases in Saudi Arabia originated from Assir Region, Hafar Al-Batin city in the Eastern Region, Medina (Al Madinah) province, and Riyadh region. Two recent cases from Qatar were in a 59-year-old man who travelled to Medina province (Al Madinah), Saudi Arabia, and returned to Qatar with symptoms of MERS-CoV, and a 29-year-old man who had no history of recent travel outside the country.
Although sustained person-to-person transmission has not been observed, limited person-to-person transmission has been reported either in a household, work environment, or healthcare setting. Although the source of infection remains unknown, investigation into possible animal reservoirs are ongoing.
While new cases continue to occur in the Arabian Peninsula, no new cases have been exported since June, despite a surge in pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah during Ramadan. To date, primary MERS-CoV cases have been reported from Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). France, Germany, Italy, Tunisia and the United Kingdom have reported imported cases.
The current situation does not meet the conditions for a public health emergency of international concern according to the WHO International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee concerning MERS-CoV. The WHO has not issued any travel restrictions to the Middle East in relation to MERS-CoV.
Travellers returning from the Middle East and surrounding countries, with mild respiratory symptoms are most likely to have a common respiratory illness such as a cold. However, if severe respiratory symptoms develop, such as shortness of breath, within two weeks of returning from these countries, medical advice should be sought from their GP. Returning travellers should mention which countries they have visited.