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The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has informed WHO of an additional four laboratory confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (NCoV) infection.
The four cases include: 3 males aged 48, 56 and 81 years and one female aged 69 years who has since died; all have comorbidity. The 56-year-old-male has recovered and been discharged from hospital whilst the other two remain in a critical condition.
Since the beginning of May to date, a total of 19 cases, including 9 deaths have been reported from the outbreak primarily linked to a health care facility in the Eastern part of Saudi Arabia. The government is conducting ongoing investigation into the outbreak.
From September 2012 to date, WHO has been informed of a global total of 38 laboratory confirmed cases of human infection with nCoV, including 20 deaths.
(Via WHO GAR - accessed 15/05/13)
Advice for Travellers
The risk associated with novel coronavirus to the general UK population remains extremely low and the risk to travellers to the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding countries remains very low.
No travel restrictions are in place, however, travellers who develop severe respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath, within ten days of returning from these countries should seek medical advice and mention which countries they have visited.
Advice for Healthcare Professionals
WHO is encouraging all Member States to continue surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI). Until further information becomes available, it should be considered that the virus is likely to be more widely distributed than the countries which have identified cases.
Member States should consider testing of patients with unexplained pneumonias for the new coronavirus even in the absence of travel or other associations with the two affected countries. In addition, any clusters of SARI or SARI in health care workers should be thoroughly investigated regardless of where in the world they occur.
Health Protection Scotland has developed advice for healthcare professionals in relation to novel coronavirus, including a case definition for investigation and management of patients plus infection control advice.
