Amid growing concerns about the increasing number of confirmed cases of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the World Health Organization (WHO) has advised healthcare workers worldwide to be on the alert for symptoms of the often-fatal disease. “There have been several examples where the virus has moved from one country to another through travelers,” a WHO spokesperson indicated. “Consequently, all countries in the world need to ensure that their healthcare workers are aware of the virus and the disease it can cause and that, when unexplained cases of pneumonia are identified, MERS-CoV should be considered.”
The disease, which is related to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that arose in Saudi Arabia in 2012, has been confirmed by laboratory testing in 55 people—40 in Saudi Arabia, and smaller numbers in Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy. Thirty-one patients have died. The source of the virus has not been identified, and there are increasing indications that it can spread among people who are in close contact with an infected individual. The WHO has not yet issued guidance for travelers. The annual haj pilgrimage, which brings Muslims from around the world to Saudi Arabia, is coming up in October.
In the meantime, the WHO has released new guidance on “Pandemic Influenza Risk Management,” with reference to H5N1 and H7N9. Download the guidance in PDF form.
