Global Outbreak Update: 7 additional MERS-CoV cases in Saudi Arabia

No particular variety of the virus provided. The cases are laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV infection cases.

• Update Date: 24 July 2019
   
• Time frame and cases: The reporting period runs between 01. June to 30. June 2019. There are 7 confirmed additional cases. Of these, 1 fatality has occurred. Another fatality has occurred in the reported period but from a previous infection reported in the precedent DON.
   
• Regions: All confirmed reported cases have occurred in Al-Qassim (3 cases), Riyadh (2 caseS), Madinah (1 death) and Eastern region (1 case).
   
• Virus Information: No particular variety of the virus provided. The cases are laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV infection cases.
   
• Response: WHO continues to monitor the epidemiological situation and regularly conducts a risk assessment based on the latest available information provided by the Member States and from the scientific literature.
   
• Recommendation: According to the WHO’s report, “Humans are infected with MERS-CoV from unprotected direct or indirect contact with dromedary camels. MERS-CoV has demonstrated the ability to transmit between humans.” therefore, “Food hygiene practices should be observed. People should avoid drinking raw camel milk or camel urine or eating meat that has not been properly cooked.”
   
• More information on this update here.

About the esanum Global Outbreak Updates
This section gives our users short updates from the World Health Organization’s Disease Outbreak News (DONs). They provide a glimpse into the day-to-day workings and importance of the overlaps amongst international public health cooperation, epidemiology, and national health systems.
For more information, please visit the WHO’s Disease Outbreak News