Credit ECDC
# 7506
The ECDC has published their sixth rapid risk assessment on the MERS Coronavirus, which includes advice for travelers going to the Middle East for Umrah and the Hajj.
This latest report runs 18 pages – and is well worth reviewing in its entirety - but the main points in this latest release are summarized below:
Main developments in this update
• The number of new cases per month in Saudi Arabia increased ten-fold since April 2013 and more asymptomatic and mild secondary cases have been detected through contact tracing.
• Ten asymptomatic cases have been reported since 8 June, eight by Saudi Arabia and two by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Six of these asymptomatic cases have been health care workers. All the new cases reported since the previous update have been reported by Saudi Arabia and UAE.
• The skewed age and sex distribution with a higher incidence in older men has become less accentuated since the last update as more mild and asymptomatic cases are detected through contact tracing.
• The Ministry of Health Saudi Arabia updated its Health Regulations for travellers to Saudi Arabia for Umrah and Hajj pilgrimage regarding MERS-CoV : ‘...recommends that elderly (above 65 years of age) and those with chronic diseases (e.g. heart disease, kidney disease, respiratory disease, diabetes) and pilgrims with immune deficiency (congenital and acquired), malignancy and terminal illnesses, pregnant women and children (under 12) coming for Hajj and Umrah this year,to postpone the performance of the Hajj and Umrah for their own safety.’ [1].
• WHO published Revised interim case definition for reporting to WHO - Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) on 3 July 2013.
• An Emergency Committee concerning Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was set up by WHO in accordance with the International Health Regulations. The Committee held it’s second meeting on 17 July. It concluded that ‘...the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern have not at present been met.’
• Modelling results of MERS-CoV transmission have been published in The Lancet. They indicate that the virus currently has a low potential pandemic spread
A link to the abstract, and the full report below:
Technical reports - 22 Jul 2013
Available as PDF in the following languages:
This document is free of charge.
ABSTRACT
As of 18 July 2013, 88 confirmed cases of MERS-CoV had been reported worldwide of which 45 have been fatal. To date, all cases have either occurred in the Middle East or have had direct links to a primary case infected in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has reported 68 cases including 38 deaths. Thirteen cases have been reported from outside of the Middle East. These 13 cases resulted from seven separate chains of transmission. The primary case for each chain had been infected in the Middle East.
The risk of importation of MERS-CoV to the EU is unchanged and sporadic importation of cases is expected to continue. The reservoir of the virus is unknown and behavioural risk factors that are critical for transmission in the Middle East have not been established.
This update, in particular, includes travel advice for those considering visiting Saudi Arabia for the Umrah and Hajj pilgrimage following the recommendations made by the Saudi Ministry of Health. No travel or trade restrictions are recommended.
