Giuseppe
Emeritus
Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), full page: (LINK). Extracts.]
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE THREATS REPORT, Week 46, 10-16 November 2013
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Middle East respiratory syndrome- coronavirus (MERS CoV) ? Multistate
Opening date: 24 September 2012 Latest update: 13 November 2013
Epidemiological summary
As of 14 November 2013, 156 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV have been reported by local health authorities worldwide (three cases are pending confirmatory testing, two in Kuwait and one in Spain), including 65 deaths.
Saudi Arabia has reported 127 symptomatic and asymptomatic cases including 53 deaths; Jordan two cases, both of whom died; United Arab Emirates five cases, including one fatality; Qatar six cases, including two deaths; Oman one fatal case and Kuwait two cases (pending confirmatory testing).
Thirteen cases have been reported from outside the Middle East: in the UK (4), France (2), Tunisia (3), Germany (2), Italy (1) and Spain (1, pending confirmatory testing).
In France, Tunisia and the United Kingdom, there has been local transmission among patients who have not been to the Middle East but have been in close contact with laboratory-confirmed or probable cases.
Person-to-person transmission has occurred both among close contacts and in healthcare facilities. However, with the exception of a possible nosocomial outbreak in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, secondary transmission has been limited. Sixteen asymptomatic cases have been reported by Saudi Arabia and two by the UAE. Seven of these cases were healthcare workers.
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ECDC assessment
The continued detection of MERS-CoV cases in the Middle East indicates that there is an ongoing source of infection present in the region.
The source of infection and the mode of transmission have not been identified.
The MERS-CoV infection reported in Spain in a returning traveller from Saudi Arabia should remind EU citizens of the risk of contracting MERS-CoV through exposure while travelling to the Middle East. Surveillance for cases is essential.
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 update of a rapid risk assessment was published on 7 November 2013. The first 133 cases are described in EuroSurveillance published on 26 September 2013. ECDC is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with WHO and the EU Member States.
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COMMUNICABLE DISEASE THREATS REPORT, Week 46, 10-16 November 2013
(...)
Middle East respiratory syndrome- coronavirus (MERS CoV) ? Multistate
Opening date: 24 September 2012 Latest update: 13 November 2013
Epidemiological summary
As of 14 November 2013, 156 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV have been reported by local health authorities worldwide (three cases are pending confirmatory testing, two in Kuwait and one in Spain), including 65 deaths.
Saudi Arabia has reported 127 symptomatic and asymptomatic cases including 53 deaths; Jordan two cases, both of whom died; United Arab Emirates five cases, including one fatality; Qatar six cases, including two deaths; Oman one fatal case and Kuwait two cases (pending confirmatory testing).
Thirteen cases have been reported from outside the Middle East: in the UK (4), France (2), Tunisia (3), Germany (2), Italy (1) and Spain (1, pending confirmatory testing).
In France, Tunisia and the United Kingdom, there has been local transmission among patients who have not been to the Middle East but have been in close contact with laboratory-confirmed or probable cases.
Person-to-person transmission has occurred both among close contacts and in healthcare facilities. However, with the exception of a possible nosocomial outbreak in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, secondary transmission has been limited. Sixteen asymptomatic cases have been reported by Saudi Arabia and two by the UAE. Seven of these cases were healthcare workers.
(?)
ECDC assessment
The continued detection of MERS-CoV cases in the Middle East indicates that there is an ongoing source of infection present in the region.
The source of infection and the mode of transmission have not been identified.
The MERS-CoV infection reported in Spain in a returning traveller from Saudi Arabia should remind EU citizens of the risk of contracting MERS-CoV through exposure while travelling to the Middle East. Surveillance for cases is essential.
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 update of a rapid risk assessment was published on 7 November 2013. The first 133 cases are described in EuroSurveillance published on 26 September 2013. ECDC is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with WHO and the EU Member States.
(?)
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