#11,992
In Late November we saw a brief report from the Oman government that they were treating a MERS case (see Crofsblog Omani affected with MERS virus) - apparently their 8th (excluding exported cases diagnosed elsewhere).
Today the World Health Organization published the following update on that case.
On 29 November 2016, the National IHR Focal Point of Oman reported one (1) additional case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
Details of the case
A 67-year-old male from Dakhlia Governorate developed symptoms on 18 November 2016, and was admitted to hospital on 20 November. The patient who has comorbidities, tested positive for MERS-CoV on 29 November. He has a history of exposure to animals (camels, goats and cows) in the 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms. The patient is in stable condition and was discharged from hospital. Contact tracing of household contacts is ongoing for the case. Investigation of camels is also ongoing.
Globally, since September 2012, WHO has been notified of 1842 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including at least 652 related deaths.
WHO risk assessment
MERS-CoV causes severe human infections resulting in high mortality and has demonstrated the ability to transmit between humans. So far, the observed human-to-human transmission has occurred mainly in health care settings.
The notification of additional cases does not change the overall risk assessment. WHO expects that additional cases of MERS-CoV infection will be reported from the Middle East, and that cases will continue to be exported to other countries by individuals who might acquire the infection after exposure to animals or animal products (for example, following contact with dromedaries) or human source (for example, in a health care setting). WHO continues to monitor the epidemiological situation and conducts risk assessment based on the latest available information.
