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MERS-CoV Infection in Spain (ex Saudi Arabia)

07 November 2013

The Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality has reported a laboratory confirmed imported case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV).

The case is a female resident of Spain who had travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj pilgrimage. The patient, returned to Spain on 1 Nov 2013, and is currently receiving medical care in Puerta de Hierro Hospital in Mahadahonda, Madrid; her condition is stable. MERS-CoV infection was confirmed by the National Microbiology Center.

The Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality and the Community of Madrid are in the process of identifying all known close contacts of the patient, according to protocols recommended at the national and international level.

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.