Photo Credit WHO
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The World Health Organization has released a new MERS-CoV update, the first since September 7th, where they report 18 new cases announced out of Saudi Arabia in the past two weeks (but apparently, not, counting the three announced by the KSA MOH yesterday).
In a departure from the usual GAR (Global Alert & Response) format - which normally tries to list each case individually – today we only get a `bulk announcement’ of 18 new cases, their age range (3 to 75 years old), and their general locations (Hafar Al-Batin, Medina & Riyadh).
Further evidence that the parsimonious release of information from the Saudi MOH continues, much to the frustration of many researchers, public health officials, journalists, and observers around the world.
For more on this ongoing information gap, I’d refer you to Helen Branswell’s recent article One year later, MERS virus remains largely a mystery and Declan Butler’s Nature report filed yesterday, called Progress stalled on coronavirus.
With the reminder that WHO can only report the details that are being relayed to them by the Saudi MOH, here is the latest WHO DON (Disease Outbreak News) Report.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) - update
Disease Outbreak News
19 September 2013 - WHO has been informed of an additional 18 new laboratory-confirmed cases including three deaths with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in Saudi Arabia.
The patients are reported from Hafar Al-Batin, Medina and Riyadh. Their ages ranging from three to 75 years old. These cases were announced by the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia on 1, 5, 8, 10 and 11 September 2013.
Additionally, in Qatar, a previously laboratory-confirmed patient with MERS-CoV died on 6 September 2013.
Globally, from September 2012 to date, WHO has been informed of a total of 132 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 58 deaths.
Based on the current situation and available information, WHO encourages all Member States to continue their surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns.
Health care providers are advised to maintain vigilance. Recent travellers returning from the Middle East who develop SARI should be tested for MERS-CoV as advised in the current surveillance recommendations.
Specimens from patients’ lower respiratory tracts should be obtained for diagnosis where possible. Clinicians are reminded that MERS-CoV infection should be considered even with atypical signs and symptoms, such as diarrhoea, in patients who are immunocompromised.
Health care facilities are reminded of the importance of systematic implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC). Health care facilities that provide care for patients suspected or confirmed with MERS-CoV infection should take appropriate measures to decrease the risk of transmission of the virus to other patients, health care workers and visitors.
All Member States are reminded to promptly assess and notify WHO of any new case of infection with MERS-CoV, along with information about potential exposures that may have resulted in infection and a description of the clinical course. Investigation into the source of exposure should promptly be initiated to identify the mode of exposure, so that further transmission of the virus can be prevented.
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.
WHO has convened an Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (IHR) to advise the Director-General on the status of the current situation. The Emergency Committee, which comprises international experts from all WHO Regions, unanimously advised that, with the information now available, and using a risk-assessment approach, the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) have not at present been met.
