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Fatal MERS case confirmed
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WHO reported another fatal case of Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, coronavirus, according to a press release.
Since the outbreak began in September 2012, there have been 178 confirmed cases of MERS worldwide. Seventy-five deaths have been attributed to the infection.
On Dec. 20, a 59-year-old man from Oman became sick with fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to WHO. After his condition worsened, the patient was transferred to an ICU on Dec. 28 and diagnosed with pneumonia. He died 2 days later.
An investigation indicated that the patient had “daily exposure to camels and other farm animals and also participated in camel race events.” The patient also was a heavy smoker, according to WHO.
MERS coronavirus recently has been confirmed in several camels belonging to a herd that was linked to human cases of infection.
WHO recommends that people at high risk of severe disease should avoid close contact with animals where MERS is known to be circulating. It also advises clinicians to test any patients returning from the Middle East who develop severe acute respiratory infections.