Saudi MOH Announces 39th Wadi Aldwasir MERS Case

Original Map Credit Wikipedia

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The Wadi Aldwasir outbreak continues - albeit at a slower pace the last 3 days - with the 39th case reported since January 29th.  Once again, today's patient acquired the infection in a healthcare setting, although we don't know if this is a Healthcare worker or an exposed patient.

This is the 23rd nosocomial infection in this outbreak. Eight of those are apparently asymptomatic or have experienced only mild symptoms, as they remain in home isolation.

WADI ALDWASIR CASES Since January 29th

While details are frustratingly lacking, there appear to have been at least 3 clusters of cases in Wadi Aldwasir.

• 6 cases have been listed as secondary, household contacts
• 2 cases have been listed as secondary, community-acquired
• 23 cases have been listed as secondary, healthcare-acquired.

At this point we don't know if more than one household, or more than one healthcare facility, is involved and the circumstances surrounding the two secondary, community-acquired cases remains unspecified.

So the number of clusters could be higher. 

Additionally there are 9 Primary (community acquired) cases, of which 5 reported recent camel contact.  As we've seen, however, recent camel contact does not preclude another avenue of infection.

The good news is, the number of new cases continues to drop, suggesting that the outbreak is being brought under control.