Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), full PDF document: (LINK). Extracts.]
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE THREATS REPORT
Week 29, 14-20 July 2013
(?)
Middle East respiratory syndrome- coronavirus (MERS CoV) ? Multistate
Opening date: 24 September 2012 Latest update: 19 July 2013
Epidemiological summary
As of 18 July 2013, 88 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV, including 45 deaths, have been reported worldwide.
To date, all the cases have either occurred in the Middle East or have had direct links to an index case infected in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia has reported 68 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. During its second meeting through teleconference, held on 17 July 2013, the Committee decided that, with the information now available, the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern have not been met.
The Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia updated its Health Regulations for travellers to Saudi Arabia for 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.
(?)
ECDC assessment
The continued reporting of novel coronavirus cases in the Middle East indicates 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
ECDC published a public health development on 28 June 2013.
The latest ECDC rapid risk assessment was published on 17 June 2013. It is currently being updated.
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 29, 14-20 July 2013
(?)
Middle East respiratory syndrome- coronavirus (MERS CoV) ? Multistate
Opening date: 24 September 2012 Latest update: 19 July 2013
Epidemiological summary
As of 18 July 2013, 88 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV, including 45 deaths, have been reported worldwide.
To date, all the cases have either occurred in the Middle East or have had direct links to an index case infected in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia has reported 68 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. During its second meeting through teleconference, held on 17 July 2013, the Committee decided that, with the information now available, the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern have not been met.
The Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia updated its Health Regulations for travellers to Saudi Arabia for 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.
(?)
ECDC assessment
The continued reporting of novel coronavirus cases in the Middle East indicates 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
ECDC published a public health development on 28 June 2013.
The latest ECDC rapid risk assessment was published on 17 June 2013. It is currently being updated.
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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