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The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has notified WHO of an additional two laboratory-confirmed cases with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
The first case is an 83-year-old male from Al-Ahsa Governorate who has multiple comorbidities. The second case is a 14-year-old female with underlying health problems from the Eastern region but not from Al-Ahsa.
Globally, from September 2012 to date, WHO has been informed of a total of 54 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 30 deaths. Of those cases, 40 including 24 fatalities have been reported in Saudi Arabia.
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 fourteen 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). Some countries have implemented enhanced health surveillance (including thermal scanning) of incoming travellers, and those from the Arabian Peninsula may be subject to a more thorough screening.
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.
