sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
Received to our email account
From: WorldHealthOrganizationNews@who.int
To: undisclosed-recipients@null, null@null
Subject: WHO: Clarification of MERS comments
Date: Jul 10, 2014 12:26 PM
Clarification for media: MERS
Earlier today WHO met with a group of journalists in Manila to discuss some ongoing infectious disease issues including the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). In the conversation, WHO was asked about the possible spread of MERS in Asia. Based on resulting media stories, we believe there was some misunderstanding and clarification is necessary.
Given that it is still not known how MERS spreads to people, WHO cannot predict how the virus will spread. Therefore, it is important that health authorities stay vigilant. Already at least 10 countries, including Algeria, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malaysia, Tunisia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America have reported cases in returning travellers.
This strain of coronavirus that causes MERS was first identified in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. Our understanding of the virus and the disease it causes is continuing to evolve. Based on the current situation and available information, WHO encourages all countries to continue their surveillance for acute respiratory infections and to carefully review any unusual patterns. Returning travellers who develop respiratory infection, vomiting or diarrhoea should report to medical staff or local health services as soon as possible and inform them of recent travel.
Globally, 827 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including at least 287 related deaths have officially been reported to WHO.
If you have additional questions, please contact:
Christy Feig +41.79.251.7055
Dan Epstein +41.79.244.6047
From: WorldHealthOrganizationNews@who.int
To: undisclosed-recipients@null, null@null
Subject: WHO: Clarification of MERS comments
Date: Jul 10, 2014 12:26 PM
Clarification for media: MERS
Earlier today WHO met with a group of journalists in Manila to discuss some ongoing infectious disease issues including the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). In the conversation, WHO was asked about the possible spread of MERS in Asia. Based on resulting media stories, we believe there was some misunderstanding and clarification is necessary.
Given that it is still not known how MERS spreads to people, WHO cannot predict how the virus will spread. Therefore, it is important that health authorities stay vigilant. Already at least 10 countries, including Algeria, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malaysia, Tunisia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America have reported cases in returning travellers.
This strain of coronavirus that causes MERS was first identified in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. Our understanding of the virus and the disease it causes is continuing to evolve. Based on the current situation and available information, WHO encourages all countries to continue their surveillance for acute respiratory infections and to carefully review any unusual patterns. Returning travellers who develop respiratory infection, vomiting or diarrhoea should report to medical staff or local health services as soon as possible and inform them of recent travel.
Globally, 827 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including at least 287 related deaths have officially been reported to WHO.
If you have additional questions, please contact:
Christy Feig +41.79.251.7055
Dan Epstein +41.79.244.6047