Media Advisory - WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East R

[sharon sanders]

via email

From: WorldHealthOrganizationNews@who.int
To: undisclosed-recipients@null, null@null
Subject: Media Advisory - WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
Date: May 9, 2014 6:15 AM

WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

A meeting of the MERS-CoV Emergency Committee of the International Health Regulations will be held on Tuesday, 13 May 2014. WHO will organise a virtual press conference for journalists following the conclusion of the meeting.

WHAT: World Health Organization virtual press conference on MERS-CoV and the Emergency Committee of the International Health Regulations

WHO: Dr Keiji Fukuda, Assistant Director-General, WHO

WHEN: Tuesday evening, 13 May 2014 after the end of the meeting.
The timing of the press conference depends on when the meeting ends. The exact time will be communicated on Tuesday afternoon.

WHERE: Dial-in numbers will be sent on Tuesday morning. Palais journalists who wish to attend the VPC in person can come to the Library Meeting Room at WHO HQ

For more information:
Tarik Jasarevic, Mobile: +41 793 676 214, Tel: +41 22 791 5099, E-mail: jasarevict@who.int

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Media Advisory - WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome #Coronavirus #MERS - Tuesday, May 13, 2014

hat tip Michael Coston

Friday, May 09, 2014

WHO To Convene IHR Emergency Committee On MERS Next Week



Credit WHO

# 8592

Four times over the past year the World Health Organization has convened a meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee to discuss ? among other things ? whether the MERS Coronavirus outbreak on the Arabian Peninsula constitutes a PHEIC (Public Health Emergency of International Concern).

WHO statements on MERS-CoV

• Fourth meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee concerning MERS-CoV
  4 December 2013
• Third meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee concerning MERS-CoV
  25 September 2013
• Second meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee concerning MERS-CoV
  17 July 2013
• First meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee concerning MERS-CoV
  9 July 2013

The last meeting, held just over five months ago, came at a time when there were only 163 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 71 deaths (Dec 3rd GAR Update) ? a tally that had taken roughly 18 months to reach.

At that time, while the MERS situation was viewed as as serious concern, the advisory committee did not feel the threat rose to the level of being a PHEIC.

Since then, we?ve seen the number of cases ? and nations affected ? expand rapidly with now more than 500 cases reported worldwide, affecting 18 nations.
​

On Tuesday of next week the WHO will once again convene the IHR Emergency Committee to discuss the situation, and while we don?t know exactly what issues will be discussed, the topic of designating MERS a PHEIC will no doubt be on the table.

We are promised a virtual press conference for journalists following the conclusion of the meeting. The role of the IHR Emergency Committee is outlined in the WHO FAQ below:

Frequently asked questions on IHR Emergency Committee
What is the IHR Emergency Committee?

The Emergency Committee is made up of international experts to provide technical advice to the WHO Director-General in the context of a ?public health emergency of international concern? (PHEIC). It provides its views on:

• whether the event constitutes a public health emergency of international concern;
• the temporary recommendations that should be taken by the country experiencing an emergency of international concern, or by other countries, to prevent or reduce the international spread of disease and avoid unnecessary interference with international trade and travel;
• the termination of a public health emergency of international concern.
  

What is a public health emergency of international concern?

The term public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC ) is defined in the International Health Regulations as ?an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response?.
This definition implies a situation that is:

• serious, sudden, unusual or unexpected;
• carries implications for public health beyond the affected State?s national border; and
• may require immediate international action.
  

The responsibility of determining whether an event is within this category lies with WHO?s Director-General who may seek the views of the IHR Emergency Committee.

Who are the members of the Emergency Committee?

WHO maintains an IHR Expert Roster composed of international experts in such fields as disease control, virology, vaccine development or infectious disease epidemiology. WHO?s Director-General selects members of the Emergency Committee from this roster and, where appropriate, from other WHO expert advisory panels and committees. Members can be selected on the basis of expertise required for any particular session. At least one member of the Emergency Committee should be an expert nominated by a
State Party within whose territory the event arises, and such States Parties are invited to present their views to the Emergency Committee.

The Director-General may also appoint one or more technical experts to advise the Committee, on his or her own initiative or at the request of the Committee.

How are these people chosen?

Selection of members is based primarily on their technical ability and experience in the relevant fields of expertise. The Director-General aims to ensure that members of the IHR Emergency Committee have the broadest possible geographical representation, and reflect diverse knowledge, practical experience and approaches. Achieving gender balance is also a desirable aim.

Members of WHO advisory panels and committees do not receive any remuneration from the Organization.

Their names, job titles and any other information that could be determined to be a potential conflict of interest are published on WHO?s website.

What decisions will the Emergency Committee make?

The Emergency Committee will provide its view to the Director General on :

• whether the event constitutes a public health emergency of international concern;
• the temporary recommendations that should be taken by countries on areas including travel, surveillance, clinical management, infection control;
• the termination of a public health emergency of international concern.
  

All decisions on these issues are taken by the Director-General.

​

Posted by Michael Coston at <a class="timestamp-link" href="http://afludiary.blogspot.com/2014/05/who-to-convene-ihr-emergency-committee.html" rel="bookmark" title="permanent link"><abbr class="published" itemprop="datePublished" title="2014-05-09T08:38:00-04:00">8:38 AM</abbr>

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Media Advisory - WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome #Coronavirus #MERS - Tuesday, May 13, 2014

via email

From: WorldHealthOrganizationNews@who.int [Edit Address Book]
To: undisclosed-recipients@null, null@null
Subject: UPDATE: WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV
Date: May 13, 2014 2:18 AM
WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

The meeting of the MERS-CoV Emergency Committee of the International Health Regulations will be held Tuesday, 13 May 2014. WHO will organise a virtual press conference for journalists following the conclusion of the meeting.

WHAT: World Health Organization virtual press conference on MERS-CoV and the Emergency Committee of the International Health Regulations

WHO: Dr Keiji Fukuda, Assistant Director-General, WHO

WHEN: Tuesday evening, 13 May 2014 after the end of the meeting.

We are aiming for 19h00 (Geneva time), but the timing of the press conference depends on when the meeting ends. The exact time will be communicated later this afternoon.

WHERE: Please find below dial-in numbers. Palais journalists who wish to attend the VPC in person can come to the Library Meeting Room at WHO HQ

For more information:
Tarik Jasarevic, Mobile: +41 793 676 214, Tel: +41 22 791 5099, E-mail: jasarevict@who.int

How to access the WHO Virtual Press Conference

Please try to call in 10 minutes before the conference begins in order to be registered correctly. From the list below, please use the number closest to you. If you have problems with a number, try the toll number from a neighbouring country or call Switzerland: +41 22 580 9022.

To ask a question during the question and answer session, registered participants should type 01 on their telephone keypad, this will place you in the queue to ask questions.

International access numbers

COUNTRY TOLL-FREE TOLL
Argentina +541159843866
Australia +61390084320
Austria +43 1928 2201
Belgium +32 2402 9640
Brazil 0800912065
Canada +14169153614
Chile +5625994995
China +864006450539
Costa Rica 0800 0121677
Croatia +38517776163
Cyprus +35722030665
Czech Rep +420228882950
Denmark +45 3272 7701
Egypt
Finland +358 9425 99700
Estonia 8000100355
France +33 1720 01510
Germany +49 6922 2229 031
Greece +30 2111 9815 60
Hong Kong +852 5808 1220
Hungary +36 1408 8094
Iceland
India +912233019449
Indonesia 001 803 011 3597
Ireland +353 14311251
Israel +97239155932
Italy +39 0236009767
Japan +81350505011
Latvia +371 66013604
Lithuania +370 52055450
Luxembourg +352 2088 0696
Malaysia +60362074632
Mexico +525547772282
Monaco 80093839
Netherlands +31 107138194
Norway +4721031303
Panama 008002260610
Peru 080053911
Poland +48222953528
Portugal +351 308801485
Romania +40215293962
Russia +74952216523
Saudi Arabia 8008110176
Singapore +65 31580365
Slovakia +421233215405
Slovenia
South Africa +27218197035
South Korea 00798 14 800 6491
Spain +34 914142021
Sweden +46 850334664
Switzerland +41 22 580 9022
Taiwan +886226567372
Thailand 0018001562030606
Turkey +90 212 705 2920
UAE 800035702760
United Kingdom +44 20 3043 2440
USA +1 8778 874 163

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Media Advisory - WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome #Coronavirus #MERS - Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Source: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health...RS+public+health+emergency/9833548/story.html

Expert panel convenes to advise WHO on whether MERS is a public health emergency
By Helen Branswell, The Canadian Press May 13, 2014 8:40 AM


Has the mushrooming outbreak of the new MERS coronavirus reached the point where it is an international public health emergency?

That is the question a panel of outside experts will reconsider today as the World Health Organization's so-called emergency committee on the MERS virus convenes for the fifth time. Dr. Theresa Tam, head of the Public Health Agency of Canada's Health Security Infrastructure Branch, is vice-chair of the committee.

Each previous time the group has expressed concerns about the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, a cousin of the SARS virus that has been causing sporadic and often severe or fatal illnesses in several countries on the Arabian Peninsula for the past two years...

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Media Advisory - WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome #Coronavirus #MERS - Tuesday, May 13, 2014

From: WorldHealthOrganizationNews@who.int [Edit Address Book]
To: undisclosed-recipients@null, null@null
Subject: UPDATE: Fifth meeting of the WHO International Health Regulations Emergency on MERS-CoV
Date: May 13, 2014 10:48 AM
UPDATE: Fifth meeting of the WHO International Health Regulations Emergency on MERS-CoV


Dear journalists,

In reference to earlier updates sent out today, please be informed that Emergency Committee is continuing its deliberations and it is possible that the meeting will not finish until tomorrow. We will keep you updated as soon as we have more information

WHO Media Team

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Media Advisory - WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome #Coronavirus #MERS - Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Media conference is delayed until tomorrow.


From: WorldHealthOrganizationNews@who.int
To: undisclosed-recipients@null, null@null
Subject: UPDATE: Confirmation of date and time of WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
Date: May 13, 2014 11:31 AM
UPDATE: Confirmation of date and time of WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

The meeting of the MERS-CoV Emergency Committee of the International Health Regulations will publish its findings on Wednesday, May 14th. WHO will organise a virtual press conference for journalists to announce the findings.

WHAT: World Health Organization virtual press conference on MERS-CoV and the Emergency Committee of the International Health Regulations

WHO: Dr Keiji Fukuda, Assistant Director-General, WHO

WHEN: Wednesday, 14 May 2014 at 13h Geneve time (11h GMT)

WHERE: Please find below dial-in numbers. Palais journalists who wish to attend the VPC in person can come to WHO HQ

For more information:
Tarik Jasarevic, Mobile: +41 793 676 214, Tel: +41 22 791 5099, E-mail: jasarevict@who.int

How to access the WHO Virtual Press Conference

Please try to call in 10 minutes before the conference begins in order to be registered correctly. From the list below, please use the number closest to you. If you have problems with a number, try the toll number from a neighbouring country or call Switzerland: +41 22 580 9022.


To ask a question during the question and answer session, registered participants should type 01 on their telephone keypad, this will place you in the queue to ask questions.

International access numbers

COUNTRY TOLL-FREE TOLL
Argentina +541159843866
Australia +61390084320
Austria +43 1928 2201
Belgium +32 2402 9640
Brazil 0800912065
Canada +14169153614
Chile +5625994995
China +864006450539
Costa Rica 0800 0121677
Croatia +38517776163
Cyprus +35722030665
Czech Rep +420228882950
Denmark +45 3272 7701
Egypt
Finland +358 9425 99700
Estonia 8000100355
France +33 1720 01510
Germany +49 6922 2229 031
Greece +30 2111 9815 60
Hong Kong +852 5808 1220
Hungary +36 1408 8094
Iceland
India +912233019449
Indonesia 001 803 011 3597
Ireland +353 14311251
Israel +97239155932
Italy +39 0236009767
Japan +81350505011
Latvia +371 66013604
Lithuania +370 52055450
Luxembourg +352 2088 0696
Malaysia +60362074632
Mexico +525547772282
Monaco 80093839
Netherlands +31 107138194
Norway +4721031303
Panama 008002260610
Peru 080053911
Poland +48222953528
Portugal +351 308801485
Romania +40215293962
Russia +74952216523
Saudi Arabia 8008110176
Singapore +65 31580365
Slovakia +421233215405
Slovenia
South Africa +27218197035
South Korea 00798 14 800 6491
Spain +34 914142021
Sweden +46 850334664
Switzerland +41 22 580 9022
Taiwan +886226567372
Thailand 0018001562030606
Turkey +90 212 705 2920
UAE 800035702760
United Kingdom +44 20 3043 2440
USA +1 8778 874 163

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Media Advisory - WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome #Coronavirus #MERS - Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Ok - let's "get real".

There are now over 500 known coronavirus MERS cases in Saudi Arabia.

The global total is 588.

The fatality rate of this communicable disease is 29%.

And it has spread to 5* new countries in the last 6 weeks. Over 500 million people live in these countries.

How is this not a global public health emergency?



*Greece, Philippines, USA, Malaysia, Egypt.

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: Media Advisory - WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome #Coronavirus #MERS - Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Ok - let's "get real".

There are now over 500 known coronavirus MERS cases in Saudi Arabia.

The global total is 588.

The fatality rate of this communicable disease is 29%.

And it has spread to 5* new countries in the last 6 weeks. Over 500 million people live in these countries.

How is this not a global public health emergency?



*Greece, Philippines, USA, Malaysia, Egypt.

The fact that in Greece, Philippines, Malaysia MERS-CoV failed to spread Beyond the imported cases is suggestive of a serious public health event but not so far of the same magnitude of an influenza pandemic.

The other fact that is driving this huge coverage resides in MERS Landing in the US.

In Europe this enormous amount of press conferences, debates, MSMs coverage had not started at time of first cases and local clusters.

The suggestion to enact travel restrictions in order to slow the MERS spread is somewhat misleading a this point, because of lack of proof of human-to-human sustained transmission in community.

The disease could be slowed but with the help of all parts involved, both public health and veterinary as well as scientific community that so far remained only ancillary.

From some point of views, MERS is already a PHEIC (see for example a recent commentary from Eurosurveillance), but other researchers argued that the pattern of spread remains stable, with primary cases linked to animals and no change in viral key makers of transmissibility in humans.

gm

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Media Advisory - WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome #Coronavirus #MERS - Tuesday, May 13, 2014

:magnify:Media conference is delayed until tomorrow

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Media Advisory - WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome #Coronavirus #MERS - Tuesday, May 13, 2014

MERS emergency response due

Mary Ann Benitez

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

<table valign="top" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="9" cellspacing="0" width="250"><tbody><tr><td>
</td></tr><tr><td height="10">
</td></tr><tr><td>
</td></tr></tbody></table>An expert committee was expected to advise the World Health Organization director general early this morning on whether to declare the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome an international public health emergency. The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee for MERS was last night meeting in Geneva to decide whether to raise the risk of MERS in its fifth meeting since being convened in 2012.
The committee is chaired by Australia's chief medical officer of the Department of Health and Ageing, Chris Baggoley.
The meeting began in Geneva late last night and a press briefing was expected to follow.
The committee will provide technical advice to WHO Director General Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun on whether MERS constitutes a public health emergency of international concern...:tiphat:http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_...5&sid=42257425&con_type=1&d_str=20140514&fc=4






...

The emergency committee last pondered the question in December, which MERS virus activity actually appeared to have slowed.
That?s not the case now. The cumulative global case count, which only crossed the 200 mark in late March, is fast approaching 600 now. Of those cases, more than 150 have died. (The WHO?s count lags behind the tally announced by governments; the global health agency said Saturday it had been informed of 536 cases and 145 deaths.)
Preben Aavitsland, Norway?s former state epidemiologist and one of the drafters of the International Health Regulations, believes the emergency committee will advise Director General Margaret Chan to declare MERS a global emergency or PHEIC (pronounced ?fake?) in the jargon of the WHO...


In Aavitsland?s eyes, the declaration should have come long ago. Under the International Health Regulations, a public health emergency of international concern is a disease event that poses a health risk to other states because of the potential for cross-border spread and is one that requires a co-ordinated international response.

?Already from the start it was clear that this was a disease that could be exported. And just now we got a new example from Florida,? says Aavitsland, referring to Monday?s announcement that the United States had detected its second case of MERS, in a health-care professional who travelled from Jidda, Saudi Arabia to Orlando, Fla., on May 1 via London, Boston and Atlanta....
Aavitsland says in his view, the WHO has too infrequently used the public health emergency tool, a fact which makes it harder to unsheathe now.
?That?s the problem. It?s become such an extraordinary thing to do, to declare a PHEIC, that the general public will be frightened just by hearing that they are doing it,? he says.:tiphat:http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/0...-like-virus-causing-illnesses-in-middle-east/

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: Media Advisory - WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome #Coronavirus #MERS - Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Over-reacting after discovery of TWO cases in the US must not interfere with declaration of PHEIC that may have serious consequences for stability of the entire M.E. and Mediterranean area.

Also, it would be futile: with hundreds of thousands refugees running away for civil wars in the regions, how does the international community intend to enact the travel restrictions?

To shot migrants boats into sea?

The PHEIC may be another bad hit for the WHO, unable so far to implement a coherent and concerted effort in disclosing the issues behind the upsurge in MERS cases in some Gulf States, to coordinate a scientific effort to understand the disease and the possible treatment options, preventative measures and veterinarian response.

To declare PHEIC may have the only effect to sink further the credibility of the international health agencies, able only to crying wolf but not to implement the correct actions.

WHO & US CDC aren't able to date to answer the most simple questions about route of exposure of MERS, animal reservoir, human behaviours related to animals exposures, infectivity period, incubation period, extent of sub-clinical infections among general population, etc.

gm

 

[Diane Morin]

Re: Media Advisory - WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome #Coronavirus #MERS - Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Gregory H?rtl ‏@HaertlG 3 min
.@WHO #MERS press conference set for 13h00 Geneva time today.

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Media Advisory - WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome #Coronavirus #MERS - Tuesday, May 13, 2014

WHO coronavirus MERS emergency committee does not declare global public health emergency.

My notes. Please read from the bottom up:

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 7s
Opening floor for questions. Transcript following on @WHO site, + a video. This concludes our tweeting for this event. #coronavirus #MERS

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 4m
Emergency committee meeting again in several weeks.

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 6m
No convincing evidence 4 increase of transmissibility of #coronavirus #MERS - i.e.secondary contact & no evidence of community viral sweeps

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 8m
Blaming extent of #coronavirus #MERS outbreak on sub-optimal hospital settings

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 10m
Fukuda now giving reasons why Emergency committee did not declare #coronavirus #MERS global public health emergency

Lisa Schnirring @lisaschnirring ? 16m
For #MERS, no public health emergency at this time, per WHO

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 12m
Emergency committee says current #coronavirus #MERS situation is not public health emergency of global concern

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 14m
WHO team in Saudi participated, countries with exported cases also participated #coronavirus #MERS

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 15m
14 of 16 members of Emergency committee participated + 3 advisors + 13 country reps - lasted about 5 hours

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 17m
Emergency committee on #coronavirus #MERS met yesterday via phone

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 18m
Dr Keiji Fukuda, Assistant Director-General @WHO making opening comments....#coronavirus #MERS

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 18m
Tarik Jasarevic is @WHO contact for this conference #coronavirus #MERS - making introductions...
e
FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 20m
WHO #coronavirus #MERS virtual press conference starting soon. For dial in info: http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showpost.php?p=534828&postcount=6 ?

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Media Advisory - WHO Virtual Press Conference following the fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome #Coronavirus #MERS - Tuesday, May 13, 2014

via email

From: WorldHealthOrganizationNews@who.int [Edit Address Book]
To: undisclosed-recipients@null, null@null
Subject: WHO Statement on the Fifth Meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee concerning MERS-CoV
Date: May 14, 2014 7:03 AM
WHO Statement/03
14 May 2014

WHO Statement on the Fifth Meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee concerning MERS-CoV

The fifth meeting of the Emergency Committee convened by the Director-General under the International Health Regulations (2005) concerning Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was held by teleconference on Tuesday, 13 May 2014, from 12:07 to 17:12 Geneva time (CEST).
The Members of the Committee are listed at: http://www.who.int/entity/ihr/procedures/emerg_comm_members_2013/en/index.html

In addition to Members of the Emergency Committee, three expert advisors participated in the informational session only.[1] These advisors did not participate in the formulation of advice to the Director-General.

Thirteen affected States Parties reporting cases of MERS-CoV or evidence of infection since December 2013, were also on the first part of the teleconference: Egypt, Greece, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, and Yemen.

The WHO Secretariat provided an update on and assessment of epidemiological and scientific developments, including a description of the recent increase in cases in communities and in hospitals, transmission patterns, and the main observations of a WHO mission to Saudi Arabia, conducted 28 April ? 5 May 2014.

Affected countries gave information about recent events in their countries, including measures taken and their concerns about the current situation.
The Members of the Committee discussed the information provided. Based on current information, the Committee indicated that the seriousness of the situation had increased in terms of public health impact, but that there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission. As a result of their deliberations, the Committee concluded that the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) have not yet been met.

However, the Committee emphasized that its concern about the situation had significantly increased. Their concerns centred on the recent sharp rise in cases; systemic weaknesses in infection prevention and control, as well as gaps in critical information; and possible exportation of cases to especially vulnerable countries. The Committee strongly urged WHO and Member States to take immediate steps to:
improve national policies for infection prevention and control, and implement them in health-care facilities in all countries; this is most urgent for affected countries;
initiate and accelerate critical investigations, including case-control, serological, environmental, and animal studies, to better understand the epidemiology, especially risk factors and assess the effectiveness of control measures;
support countries that are particularly vulnerable, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, taking into account the regional challenges;
strengthen case and contact identification and management;
greatly enhance awareness and effective risk communication concerning MERS-CoV to the general public, health professionals, at-risk groups, and policy makers;
strengthen intersectoral collaboration and information sharing across ministries and with relevant international organizations, especially with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO);
develop and disseminate advice regarding mass gatherings to prevent further spread of MERS-CoV;
share information in a timely manner with WHO, in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005).

Based on the Committee?s advice, and information currently available, the Director-General accepted the Committee?s assessment. She thanked the Committee for its work.

The WHO Secretariat will continue to provide regular updates to the Committee Members and Advisors. In view of the Committee?s concerns, the Emergency Committee will be reconvened in June 2014 or earlier if circumstances require.