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Five new cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection were reported to WHO by the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia between 4-9 May 2015.
The cases are all male and were identified in: Abqaiq city (1), Hofuf city (1), Huraima city (1), Najran city (1) and Taif city (1). The cases ranged in age between 39-75 years; one case died, 3 are reported to be in a critical condition and one in a stable condition. Four of the cases had comorbidities; one had contact with a laboratory confirmed case of MERS-CoV infection, one had frequent contact with camels and consumption of camel milk and one lived in an area with camels and sheep. Investigation into history of exposure is ongoing for the remaining two cases.
Globally, WHO has been notified of 1116 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection, including at least 423 related deaths.
(Via WHO Global Alert and Response 17/05/15) - accessed 19/05/15)
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.
• People at high risk of severe disease due to MERS-CoV
should avoid close contact with animals when visiting farms or barn areas where
the virus is known to be potentially circulating. For the general public, when
visiting a farm or a barn, general hygiene measures, such as regular hand
washing before and after touching animals, avoiding contact with sick animals
should be adhered to.
• 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.
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.
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.
• Further information on MERS CoV
