#13,908
It has been 18 days since the last update released by Oman's Ministry of Health on their ongoing MERS outbreak, which brought the total number of cases to 10.
Today the World Health Organization has released a second DON update on that outbreak, that raises the current count to 13 cases.The initial outbreak (see MERS-CoV Disease outbreak news 11 February 2019) consisted of 5 female members of a family farm, with 1 primary case and 4 secondary cases. None were listed as having had recent camel exposure.
The 8 new cases consist of 4 males from South Sharquia governorate, and 4 females from North Batinah, near where the original cluster was reported. Two of the male cases (ages 68 & 63) are listed as deceased.
It is not immediately clear what - if any - epidemiological links exist between these two groups.While it is not explicitly stated, some - if not most, of these eight additional cases appear to be associated with one or more nosocomial transmission events. Two cases are listed as HCWs (1 male, 1 female), while some of the others appear to be patients or friends or family members of patients.
The investigation is ongoing.Although the Omani MOA very publicly declared `. . . the absence of the cattle and camels in the Sultanate of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Corona) virus' a month ago (see Oman's Ministry of Agriculture Weighs In On MERS-CoV In Camels), today's update states:
The Ministry of Agriculture has conducted an investigation of dromedaries at the farms of one of the patients. Results of this investigation are pending.You'll find excerpts from today's WHO Update below. Follow the link to read it in its entirety.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Oman
Disease outbreak news
4 March 2019
Between 12 and 18 February 2019, the National IHR Focal Point of Oman reported eight additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection. Four cases were reported from South Sharquia governorate, and four cases were reported from North Batinah governorate where a MERS-CoV cluster was recently identified. Details of the additional eight cases can be found in the attached excel sheet.
MERS-CoV cases reported from 12 through 18 February 2019
xlsx, 17kb
Since 27 January 2019, a total of 13 MERS cases were reported from Oman, including nine from North Batinah (five cases were previously reported in the Disease outbreak News 11 February 2019) and four from South Sharquia.
An investigation into the exposure history to known risk factors in the 14 days prior to symptom onset in all eight cases is currently ongoing.
From 2012 through 18 February 2019, a total of 2357 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS, along with 820 associated deaths, have been reported to WHO globally. The first reported MERS infection in Oman was reported in 2013. Since then, a total of 24 cases and seven deaths have been reported.
The global number reflects the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases reported to WHO under IHR to date. The total number of deaths includes the deaths that WHO is aware of to date through follow-up with affected member states.
Public Health response
Whole genome sequencing of available human specimens of patients is being conducted. As of 21 February, all identified contacts (family and health workers) of confirmed MERS patients have been screened, including 69 contacts from North Batinah patients and 57 contacts from South Sharqiyah patients. Tracing and follow-up of these contacts is ongoing by the Ministry of Health for 14 days from the last date of exposure as per WHO and national guidelines for MERS-CoV. All contacts have been sampled and have tested negative for MERS-CoV by RT-PCR.
The Ministry of Agriculture has conducted an investigation of dromedaries at the farms of one of the patients. Results of this investigation are pending.
The Ministry of Health has strengthened infection prevention and control measures in emergency departments, especially in triaging areas. Health education and awareness materials were produced and disseminated to health care staff, patients and visitors.
Family members of MERS-CoV infected patients have been contacted and advised about the virus and on measures to ensure personal protection to prevent infection. Efforts in improving public health awareness among the general public has been strengthened through greater messaging in the media.
WHO risk assessment(Continue . . . )
Infection with MERS-CoV can cause severe disease resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Humans are infected with MERS-CoV from direct or indirect contact with infected dromedary camels. MERS-CoV has demonstrated the ability to transmit between humans, especially from close unprotected contact with infected patients. So far, the observed non-sustained human-to-human transmission has occurred mainly in health care settings.
The notification of these additional cases does not change WHO’s overall risk assessment of MERS-CoV. WHO expects that additional cases of MERS 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 dromedary camels, animal products (e.g. consumption of camel’s raw milk), or humans (e.g. in a health care setting). WHO continues to monitor the epidemiological situation and conducts risk assessment based on the latest available information.
