# 8672
Even though the number of Saudi MERS cases being reported by the MOH has decreased dramatically in recent weeks, concerns remain high as the Holy month of Ramadan approaches (June 28th-July 28th), when hundreds of thousands of international pilgrims will travel to the Holy cities in Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrimages.
All of which makes today’s report on Iran’s first two MERS cases – filed by AFP – of particular interest, as they are reporting these two sisters were infected through exposure to a traveler recently returned from performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia.
A caveat is in order here, as despite the best efforts of reporters covering the Middle East, Iran ranks among the ten most restrictive press environments in the world (ranked #172 out of 180 by Reporters Without Borders).
Making it more than a bit dicey to put complete faith in the details that are being released.
That said, the following report suggests nosocomial transmission, although we don’t learn much more than the location where these sisters were believed infected (an Iranian hospital in Kerman), and the fact they were apparently exposed to a recently returned traveler from Saudi Arabia.
While intriguing, with no details on this returning traveler’s health (and MERS-CoV testing status), or even a suggestion as to the type or duration of exposure (direct prolonged, casual, etc.), we are left with far more questions than answers.
Other reports indicate there may be two other family members who have been infected, although tests are supposedly pending in those. This from Middle East Online:
Iran records first MERS cases month before Ramadan
Both among patients who had been in hospital with a pilgrim returning from Saudi Arabia.
Middle East Online
TEHRAN - Iran has recorded its first two cases of the deadly MERS virus, both among patients who had been in hospital with a pilgrim returning from Saudi Arabia, reports said Wednesday.
The two infected women are sisters and one is in a critical condition, transmissible diseases unit chief Mohammad Mehdi Gooya told the Fars news agency.
Both are receiving specialist treatment in the hospital in the southern province of Kerman where they are believed to have been infected.
There was no immediate word on whether the returning pilgrim who was the suspected carrier had tested positive for the coronavirus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.
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Gooya said Iranian authorities would test all returning pilgrims and that anybody displaying potential symptoms would be kept under quarantine for two weeks.
Details on the promised testing for `all returning pilgrims’ are not provided. Hopefully we’ll get a more detailed version of this chain of transmission from the World Health Organization in due time.
