SARS-achtig virus duikt op MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome- coronavirus)

[oma]

Coronavirus has claimed two lives in Saudi Arabia and one in Qatar, bringing total number of fatalities globally to 50. (edit 024: onjuist)

Two women have died of the coronavirus MERS in Saudi Arabia, the health ministry said, bringing the total number of fatalities in the kingdom to 44.

The victims were identified on Saturday as a 41-year-old health sector worker in Riyadh and a 79-year-old woman who suffered from chronic illnesses and who came into contact with a patient stricken by the virus in the northeastern city of Hafr Al Baten.

Meanwhile, a Qatari man has also died from the virus, becoming the second fatality from the SARS-like virus to be recorded in the Gulf state, a health authority said on Saturday.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/09/2013978924688507.html

[oma]

07/09/2013

Disease Outbreak News

7 SEPTEMBER 2013 - WHO has been informed of four (4) additional laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in Saudi Arabia.

The first case is a 41 year-old female healthcare worker from Riyadh with no known underlying medical conditions and who became ill on 15 August, 2013. Her condition deteriorated and she passed away at the end of August. No known exposure to animals, or to a confirmed MERS-CoV case, has been identified and investigations into the source of infection are on-going.

The second case is a 30 year-old Saudi male healthcare worker from Riyadh, working in the same hospital as the above confirmed case. He developed severe pneumonia on 1 September, 2013, and is currently in critical condition.

The third case is a 79 year-old woman from Hafar al-Batin province who developed a respiratory illness on 21 August, 2013. She is a contact of a confirmed MERS-CoV case in a family cluster. Her condition deteriorated and she passed away on 2 September, 2013.

The fourth case is a 47 year-old Saudi man from Hafar al-Batin province with a chronic heart condition and who became ill on 23 August, 2013. He is a contact of a confirmed MERS-CoV case in a family cluster. He is currently in critical condition.

Globally, from September 2012 to date, WHO has been informed of a total of 114 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 54 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 travellers 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 diarrhoea, 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 has convened an Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (IHR) to advise the Director-General on the status of the current situation. The Emergency Committee, which comprises international experts from all WHO Regions, unanimously advised that, with the information now available, and using a risk-assessment approach, the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) have not at present been met.

[RAdeR]

Mers
A separate infection called Mers-coronavirus, which is centred on Saudi Arabia, has infected 114 people and killed 54 deaths.
Researchers at the University of Madrid have created a mutated version of the virus, which could be the first steps towards creating a vaccine.
Their study in the journal, mBio, shows the modified virus can infect cells but struggles to spread round the body.
Prof Ian Jones, a virologist at the University of Reading, said: "These papers address the challenging question of what we can do about potentially emerging viruses.
"The Mers results produce a candidate vaccine that, while not currently required, could be a future therapy while the H7 influenza paper demonstrates the ability of the recent China strains to infect man, essentially a heads up for what to look for when assessing risk.
"They neatly cover both surveillance and prevention approaches to being one-step ahead of the virus."

[RAdeR]

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) - update

Disease Outbreak News

19 September 2013 - WHO has been informed of an additional 18 new laboratory-confirmed cases including three deaths with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in Saudi Arabia.

The patients are reported from Hafar Al-Batin, Medina and Riyadh. Their ages ranging from three to 75 years old. These cases were announced by the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia on 1, 5, 8, 10 and 11 September 2013.

Additionally, in Qatar, a previously laboratory-confirmed patient with MERS-CoV died on 6 September 2013.

Globally, from September 2012 to date, WHO has been informed of a total of 132 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 58 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 travellers 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 diarrhoea, 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 has convened an Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (IHR) to advise the Director-General on the status of the current situation. The Emergency Committee, which comprises international experts from all WHO Regions, unanimously advised that, with the information now available, and using a risk-assessment approach, the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) have not at present been met.

[RAdeR]

WHO @WHO 9:26am · 20 Sep 13

Two patients earlier reported as Middle East respiratory syndrome lab-confirmed cases in Italy are being reclassified as probable #MERS
Translate Tweet
 

[oma]

25 September 2013

The third meeting of the Emergency Committee convened by the Director-General under the International Health Regulations (2005) [IHR (2005)] was held by teleconference on Wednesday, 25 September 2013, from 12:00 to 14:30 Geneva time (CET).

During the informational session, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Qatar presented on recent developments in their countries. The WHO Secretariat provided an update on epidemiological developments, Hajj and Umrah and recent WHO activities related to MERS-CoV. The Committee reviewed and deliberated on the information provided.

The Committee concluded that it saw no reason to change its advice to the Director-General. Based on the current information, and using a risk-assessment approach, it was the unanimous decision of the Committee that the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) have not at present been met.

While not considering the events to constitute a PHEIC, Members of the Committee reiterated their prior advice for consideration by WHO and Member States and emphasized the importance of:

- strengthening surveillance, especially in countries with pilgrims participating in Umrah and the Hajj;
- continuing to increase awareness and effective risk communication concerning MERS-CoV, including with pilgrims;
- supporting countries that are particularly vulnerable, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa taking into account the regional challenges;
- increasing relevant diagnostic testing capacities;
- continuing with investigative work, including identifying the source of the virus and relevant exposures through case control studies and other research; and
  timely sharing of information in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005) and ongoing active coordination with WHO.

The WHO Secretariat will continue to provide regular updates to the Members, and currently anticipates reconvening the Committee in late November 2013. Any serious new developments may require re-convening the Committee before then. Based on these views and the currently available information, the Director-General accepted the Committee’s assessment and thanked its Members for their advice.

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2013/mers_cov_20130925/en/index.html

[RAdeR]

WHO @WHO

WHO has been notified of two new Middle East respiratory syndrome laboratory-confirmed cases in Saudi Arabia. Both cases were fatal. #MERS
2:24pm · 12 Oct 13 ·

[RAdeR]

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) - update

18 October 2013 - WHO has been informed of an additional laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in Qatar.

The patient is a 61-year-old man with underlying medical conditions who was admitted to a hospital on 11 October 2013. He is currently hospitalized and is in a stable condition. The patient was tested positive for MERS-CoV infection in Qatar and was confirmed by the reference laboratory of Public Health England yesterday.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the patient had not travelled outside Qatar in the two weeks prior to becoming ill. The patient owns a farm and has had significant contact with the animals, including camels, sheep and hens. Some of the animals in his farm have been tested and were negative for MERS-CoV. Further investigations into the case and the animals in the farm are ongoing.

Globally, from September 2012 to date, WHO has been informed of a total of 139 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 60 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 travellers 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 diarrhoea, 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 has convened an Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (IHR) to advise the Director-General on the status of the current situation. The Emergency Committee, which comprises international experts from all WHO Regions, unanimously advised that, with the information now available, and using a risk-assessment approach, the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) have not at present been met.

Supreme Council of Health Qatar reports new Corona virus case
DOHA, Oct 17 -  Qatar confirmed a new Corona virus case. A 61-year-old male Qatari national has been diagnosed in the National Influenza Centre at Hamad Medical Corporation with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV).
The patient is in stable condition in the intensive care unit of the Hamad General Hospital.
The SCH’s statement (in Arabic) also says the patient, who suffers with chronic illnesses, didn’t travel for two weeks prior to the infection. He had no known exposure to animals or a confirmed MERS-CoV case.
The SCH noted that all family members of the patient were examined and preliminary results were negative.
With this new case, it brings the global total of MERS-CoV cases in Qatar to 6, with 2 cases ending in death.

[RAdeR]

Supreme Council of Health: One MERS-Coranavirus patient recovered, another discovered

Header_Logo-supreme councilA 23-year-old expatriate has been tested positive for  Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) . This is the first case in the country involving a non-Qatari.
A citizen, who was recently declared MERS patient has recovered and left the hospital.
The new case was discovered during epidemic investigation procedures and the patient showed no symptoms of the disease. His condition is stable. The patient was checked and diagnosed of the illness at the National Influenza Laboratory.
All those who came into contact with the patient were also checked and the initial results show that none has been infected.
With this new case, it brings the global total of MERS-CoV cases in Qatar to 7, with 3 cases ending in death.

[RAdeR]

New Scientific Discovery: First case of an outbreak of “Corona virus” between three camels in Qatar
The Supreme Council of Health and the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the National Institute of Public Health and Environment (RIVM) of the Ministry of Health and the Erasmus Medical College in the Netherlands announced confirmation of the first case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 3 camels in a herd in Qatar in a barn, which is linked to two confirmed human cases who have since then recovered.

For transparency purposes, we can confirm that the 3 camels were investigated among a herd of 14 camels, and the samples were collected as part of the epidemiological investigation in coordination between the Public Health Department and the Department of Animal Resources. It is to be noted that none of the 14 camels showed any sign of disease when the samples were collected. As a precautionary measure, the 14 camels were put in quarantine since the initial sampling and after 40 days as of now, none have shown any symptom or sign of the disease.

For information, the presence of the MERS-CoV is newly recognized among animals, and currently there is neither clear scientific case definition nor enough information as to the role animals may play in transmitting and spreading the diseases.

All contacts of the two recovered MERS-CoV cases, including relatives, friends and workers in the same barn have been screened with negative results. The two Departments are following up with the reference laboratory and Erasmus Medical College to test additional samples from other animal species and from the environment of the barn. The joint team of the Supreme Council of Health and the Department of Animal Resources is continuously monitoring the development of this disease and taking all necessary measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

This discovery came as a result of the collaborative efforts between the two ministries, and the RIVM laboratory and Erasmus Medical College in the Netherlands, together with the World Health Organization (WHO). Currently the two Departments are conducting a national survey to investigate the presence of virus in animals, humans and the environment, and the potential modes of transmission and exposure to the virus among humans who are in close contacts with animals. Until more information is available, it is recommended, that as a precautionary measure, any animals that have been in close contact with newly detected human MERS-CoV cases are separated for investigation of the presence of infection with the virus.

It is also recommended that people with underlying health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, respiratory disease, the immunosuppressed, and the elderly, avoid any close animal contacts when visiting farms and markets, and to practice good hygiene, such as washing hands