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MERS-CoV in Saudi Arabia (Update 1)

21 June 2017

The World Health Organization reported 14 new cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronoavirus (MERS-CoV) occuring between 11 and 15 June 2017. Of these most recent cases 7 are healthcare workers and 13 are associated with clusters of cases related to 3 hospitals in Riyadh.

The Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia is implementing measures to limit further human-to-human transmission and bring these outbreaks to a control.

These 14 new cases bring the total number of cases of MERS-CoV reported by Saudi Arabia in 2017 to 150 of whom 35 have died (30 of the 35 had comorbidities).

Advice for Travellers

The risk associated with MERS-CoV 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 hand-washing, 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.
  • Avoiding contact with camels, consumption of raw camel milk or camel products, eating undercooked camel meat.
  • 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.

For further advice see Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus