Disease Outbreak News

"MERS-CoV Outbreak: Saudi Arabia's Battle Against the Deadly Virus"

The Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has reported three laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), including two deaths. All three cases were non-healthcare workers with comorbidities, and two had contact with dromedary camels and consumed raw camel milk. No secondary cases were identified among close contacts. MERS-CoV continues to pose a threat in countries where it is circulating in dromedary camels, emphasizing the need for global awareness. MERS-CoV infections range from asymptomatic or mild respiratory symptoms to severe acute respiratory disease, with a higher risk for older individuals and those with underlying health conditions. No specific treatment or vaccine is currently available. WHO advises strong surveillance, early identification, case management, isolation, and infection prevention and control measures to prevent human-to-human transmission.