5 July 2013 -
The Ministry of Health (MoH) in Saudi Arabia has announced two
additional laboratory-confirmed cases and two deaths in previously
confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus
(MERS-CoV) infection in Saudi Arabia.
The new cases are a 69 year-old male and a 66 year-old male
from Riyadh. Both were admitted to hospital on the 28 June 2013 and are
currently in critical condition in an intensive care unit.
In addition, the two deaths in previously confirmed cases are a
63 year-old female from Riyadh and a 75 year-old male from Al Ahsa.
Globally, from September 2012 to date, WHO has been informed
of a total of 79 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV,
including 42 deaths.
Based on the current situation and available information, WHO
encourages all Member States to continue their surveillance for severe
acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual
patterns.
Health care providers are advised to maintain vigilance.
Recent travelers returning from the Middle East who develop SARI should
be tested for MERS-CoV as advised in the current surveillance
recommendations. Specimens from patients’ lower respiratory tracts
should be obtained for diagnosis where possible. Clinicians are reminded
that MERS-CoV infection should be considered even with atypical signs
and symptoms, such as diarrhea, in patients who are immunocompromised.
Health care facilities are reminded of the importance of
systematic implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC).
Health care facilities that provide care for patients suspected or
confirmed with MERS-CoV infection should take appropriate measures to
decrease the risk of transmission of the virus to other patients, health
care workers and visitors.
All Member States are reminded to promptly assess and notify
WHO of any new case of infection with MERS-CoV, along with information
about potential exposures that may have resulted in infection and a
description of the clinical course. Investigation into the source of
exposure should promptly be initiated to identify the mode of exposure,
so that further transmission of the virus can be prevented.
WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with
regard to this event nor does it currently recommend the application of
any travel or trade restrictions.
WHO continues to closely monitor the situation.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2013_07_05/en/index.html
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