This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
MERS cases increase in Saudi Arabia
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
WHO reported two additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, coronavirus, in Saudi Arabia.
So far, there have been a total of 165 cases of human infection with MERS, including 71 deaths.
The most recent cases include a 51-year-old woman living in Jawf province with underlying medical conditions. The onset of her symptoms occurred Nov. 20, and she was transferred to an ICU in Riyadh. The woman reported having no contact with animals. The second case, an asymptomatic 26-year-old female health care worker, reported having contact with a 37-year-old male confirmed case.
“Health care workers are advised to maintain vigilance,” WHO said in a press release. “Recent travelers returning from the Middle East who develop [severe acute respiratory infection] should be tested for [MERS] as advised in the current surveillance recommendations.”
WHO added that health care providers should take appropriate action to reduce the risk for the transmission of MERS when treating patients who have the virus or are suspected of having it. People also should avoid contact with animals where the virus is known to be circulating.