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Middle East respiratory syndrome- coronavirus (MERS CoV) ? Multistate (ECDC/CDTR, July 29 2013)
[Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), full PDF document: (LINK). Edited.]
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE THREATS REPORT
Week 30, 21-27 July 2013
(?)
Middle East respiratory syndrome- coronavirus (MERS CoV) ? Multistate
Opening date: 24 September 2012 Latest update: 25 July 2013
Epidemiological summary
As of 25 July 2013, 90 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV, including 45 deaths, have been reported worldwide. All cases have either occurred in the Middle East or have had direct links to a primary case that was infected in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has reported 70 cases, including 38 deaths, UAE five cases and Jordan two cases, both of which died. Thirteen cases have been reported from outside the Middle East in: UK (4), Italy (3), France (2), Germany (2) and Tunisia (2). In France, Italy, Tunisia and the United Kingdom, there has been local transmission among patients who have not been to the Middle East but had been in close contact with laboratory confirmed or probable cases. Person-to-person transmission has occurred both among close contacts and in healthcare facilities, but, with the exception of a nosocomial outbreak in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, secondary transmission has been limited. Eight asymptomatic cases were reported by Saudi Arabia and two by UAE. Six of these cases were healthcare workers.
Recently published modelling of MERS-CoV transmission in The Lancet indicates that the virus currently has a low potential for pandemic spread.
On 9 July, WHO established the Emergency Committee to advise WHO's Director-General on the status of the current situation concerning MERS-CoV. On 17 July, the second meeting of the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (2005) was held by teleconference. It concluded unanimously that with the information now available, and using a risk assessment approach, the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern have not been met at present.
The Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia updated its Health Regulations for travellers to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah and Hajj pilgrimage regarding MERS-CoV and now recommends that the elderly, those with chronic diseases and pilgrims with immune deficiency, malignancy and terminal illnesses, pregnant women and children coming for Hajj and Umrah this year should postpone their journey.
WHO published a travel advice on MERS-CoV for pilgrimages on 25 July 2013.
(?)
ECDC assessment
The continued notification of MERS-CoV cases in the Middle East indicates that there is an ongoing source of infection present in the region. There is therefore a continued risk of cases occurring in Europe associated with travel to the area. Surveillance for cases is essential, particularly with expected increased travel to Saudi Arabia for Ramadan in July and the Hajj in October.
The risk of secondary transmission in the EU remains low and could be reduced further through screening for exposure among patients presenting with respiratory symptoms and their contacts, and strict implementation of infection prevention and control measures for patients under investigation.
Actions
The latest ECDC rapid risk assessment was published on 22 July 2013.
The results of an ECDC coordinated survey on laboratory capacity for testing the MERS-CoV in Europe were published in EuroSurveillance. ECDC is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with WHO and the EU Member States.
(?)
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COMMUNICABLE DISEASE THREATS REPORT
Week 30, 21-27 July 2013
(?)
Middle East respiratory syndrome- coronavirus (MERS CoV) ? Multistate
Opening date: 24 September 2012 Latest update: 25 July 2013
Epidemiological summary
As of 25 July 2013, 90 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV, including 45 deaths, have been reported worldwide. All cases have either occurred in the Middle East or have had direct links to a primary case that was infected in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has reported 70 cases, including 38 deaths, UAE five cases and Jordan two cases, both of which died. Thirteen cases have been reported from outside the Middle East in: UK (4), Italy (3), France (2), Germany (2) and Tunisia (2). In France, Italy, Tunisia and the United Kingdom, there has been local transmission among patients who have not been to the Middle East but had been in close contact with laboratory confirmed or probable cases. Person-to-person transmission has occurred both among close contacts and in healthcare facilities, but, with the exception of a nosocomial outbreak in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, secondary transmission has been limited. Eight asymptomatic cases were reported by Saudi Arabia and two by UAE. Six of these cases were healthcare workers.
Recently published modelling of MERS-CoV transmission in The Lancet indicates that the virus currently has a low potential for pandemic spread.
On 9 July, WHO established the Emergency Committee to advise WHO's Director-General on the status of the current situation concerning MERS-CoV. On 17 July, the second meeting of the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (2005) was held by teleconference. It concluded unanimously that with the information now available, and using a risk assessment approach, the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern have not been met at present.
The Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia updated its Health Regulations for travellers to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah and Hajj pilgrimage regarding MERS-CoV and now recommends that the elderly, those with chronic diseases and pilgrims with immune deficiency, malignancy and terminal illnesses, pregnant women and children coming for Hajj and Umrah this year should postpone their journey.
WHO published a travel advice on MERS-CoV for pilgrimages on 25 July 2013.
(?)
ECDC assessment
The continued notification of MERS-CoV cases in the Middle East indicates that there is an ongoing source of infection present in the region. There is therefore a continued risk of cases occurring in Europe associated with travel to the area. Surveillance for cases is essential, particularly with expected increased travel to Saudi Arabia for Ramadan in July and the Hajj in October.
The risk of secondary transmission in the EU remains low and could be reduced further through screening for exposure among patients presenting with respiratory symptoms and their contacts, and strict implementation of infection prevention and control measures for patients under investigation.
Actions
The latest ECDC rapid risk assessment was published on 22 July 2013.
The results of an ECDC coordinated survey on laboratory capacity for testing the MERS-CoV in Europe were published in EuroSurveillance. ECDC is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with WHO and the EU Member States.
(?)
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