Epidemiological update: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) - South Korea - May 30, 2015

[sharon sanders]

[h=1]Epidemiological update: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)[/h]

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30 May 2015

Recent developments

South Korea
On 20 May 2015, the South Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in a 68-year-old man, with recent travel history to Middle East. According to WHO, the man had the following travel history:

• 18-29 April, Bahrain;
• 29-30 April, United Arab Emirates;
• 30 April to 1 May, Bahrain;
• 1-2 May, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;
• 2 May, Bahrain; and
• 2-3 May, Qatar.

The case arrived at Korea?s Incheon International airport via Qatar on 4 May, while being asymptomatic. On 11 May, he developed cough and fever and sought medical care at an outpatient clinic between 12 and 15 May. He was hospitalised on 15 May, discharged on 17 May and readmitted same evening in another hospital after presenting to the emergency department. On 20 May he tested positive for MERS-CoV and was transferred to the nationally designated treatment facility for isolation. The patient has no history of exposure to known risk factors in the 14 days prior to detection. Investigation of the source of infection is ongoing. [1]
As of 30 May, the index case has resulted in eleven secondary cases:

• One patients sharing his room and four patients admitted in the same ward;
• Three healthcare workers having cared for the index case;
• Three among close family members: the wife of the index case, and the son and daughter of a patient admitted in the same ward.

Onset dates range from 11 May for the index case, until 28 May for the two most recent nosocomial cases, according to the Korean Centers for Disease Prevention and Control.
The son of the patient admitted in the same ward travelled to Hong Kong, Guangdong province, China, on 26 May 2015. He was admitted and isolated in a hospital in Hong Kong on 27 May 2015. This patient was confirmed positive for MERS-CoV infection on 29 May. [2]



- See more at: http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/press/news...pa.eu/en/Pages/home.aspx#sthash.NH3y8Wg5.dpuf