MERS outbreak continues in Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia reported seven additional laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, coronavirus and one death in a previously confirmed case, according to WHO.

Four cases have been detected among contacts of confirmed cases in Riyadh and the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. The patients range in age from 7 to 15 years and all were asymptomatic. Two further asymptomatic cases of MERS have been recorded among female health care workers in the Eastern province and Al-Ahsa. A seventh case has been detected in a 50-year-old female in the Eastern province. She is currently hospitalized with pulmonary disease, and her condition is considered stable.

The death occurred in a 32-year-old male from the Eastern province whose case was first reported on June 23.

As of June 26, 77 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS infection, including 40 deaths, have been reported to WHO since September 2012.

The following countries have been affected by MERS: Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Laboratory-confirmed cases also have been reported in France, Germany, Italy, Tunisia and the United Kingdom.

WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry regarding this event, nor does it currently recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions.