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Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) (Update)

14 June 2013

The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has notified WHO of an additional three laboratory confirmed cases with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

The first case is an 63-year-old female with comorbidities from the Eastern region. The second case, aged 75 years is from Al-Ahsa Governorate who also has comorbidities. The third case (21-years-old) from Hafr Al Batin died after being admitted to ICU.

Globally, from September 2012 to date, WHO has been informed of a total of 58 laboratory confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 32 deaths. Of those cases, 43 including 27 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.

Although the source of the virus and the mechanism of transmission is unknown, it would be prudent to try to reduce the general risk of infection while travelling by:

  • Avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections.
  • Frequent handwashing, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment.
  • Adhering to food safety and hygiene rules such as avoiding undercooked meats, raw fruits and vegetables unless they have been peeled, or unsafe water.
  • Avoiding close contact with live farm or wild animals.Travellers to the Middle East who develop symptoms either during travel or after their return are encouraged to seek medical attention and to share their history of travel.
  • People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and wash hands) and to delay travel until they are no longer symptomatic.

Based on the information available, WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event nor does it currently recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions.

Note: Some countries have however, introduced special screening at points of entry with regard to this event.

Advice for Healthcare Professionals

Consider the possibility of MERS-CoV infection in travellers with fever, cough, shortness of breath, or breathing difficulties, or other symptoms suggesting an infection, and with a recent history (within 14 days) of travel in the Middle East.

If a diagnosis of MERS–CoV infection is considered possible, apply infection prevention and control measures recommended by WHO, or outlined in national guidance, and refer the patient to a special infectious disease unit for further investigation.