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The World Health Organization’s GAR (Global Alert & Response) has put up a second statement this weekend - this time on the MERS coronavirus – regarding the two cases that were reported in this blog on Thursday (see KSA Reports 2 New MERS-CoV Cases).
Of particular note, neither of these cases reportedly had contact with known MERS-CoV cases or with animals. Each hails from a different part of the country – Riyadh and Al Asha – raising again the question of just how this virus is either jumping to, or spreading within, the population.
Both patients have (unstated) underlying medical problems and are both reported to be in critical condition.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) - update 21 July 2013
21 JULY 2013 - WHO has been informed of two additional laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in Saudi Arabia.
Both the cases are currently critically ill and hospitalized in ICUs. The first case is a 41-year-old Saudi male in Riyadh who presented to the hospital with symptoms on 15 July. The second patient is a 59-year-old Saudi female in the Al-Ahsa governorate. She presented with symptoms on 11 July.
Both patients have underlying medical conditions, but neither patient has had contact with known MERS-CoV confirmed cases or animals.
WHO is seeking more information from the National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia.
Globally, from September 2012 to date, WHO has been informed of a total of 90 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 45 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 travelers 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 diarrhea, 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.
