WHO Reports New MERS Cases in Saudi Arabia: Ongoing Risk and Medical Insights

The WHO reported four new MERS cases in Saudi Arabia, including two fatalities, highlighting ongoing risks associated with the virus, especially among individuals with underlying conditions. Current treatment is limited to supportive care, and no vaccine is available yet, although development is in progress.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided its latest update on Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in Saudi Arabia, revealing four new cases since September 6, 2024, of which two resulted in fatalities. MERS, caused by the MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV), is characterized by symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and it predominantly spreads through interactions with infected camels.

Among the four affected men, aged between 27 and 78 years, all had pre-existing medical conditions. One individual contracted the virus in a hospital setting, while another had indirect exposure through handling camels and consuming their unpasteurized milk. Importantly, none of the infected individuals were healthcare workers, and the cases were confirmed in Saudi Arabia’s Hail, Riyadh, and Eastern provinces.

Currently, there is neither a vaccine nor a specific treatment for MERS, although research is ongoing into MERS-CoV vaccines and therapeutics. Following the identification of these cases, the Saudi Ministry of Health conducted contact tracing but reported no additional infections.

Despite these new cases, the WHO maintained that the overall risk assessment remains moderate on both regional and global scales. The organization emphasized that these incidents highlight the persistent threat of the MERS virus, particularly in regions where it circulates in dromedary camels, notably in the Middle East.

Since MERS first emerged in humans in Saudi Arabia in 2012, there have been 2,618 confirmed infections worldwide across 27 countries, with a case-fatality rate of 36%. The majority of these cases, approximately 84%, have been reported in Saudi Arabia, with no new MERS infections reported outside the Middle East since 2019. The WHO reiterated that treatment remains supportive, aimed at alleviating symptoms according to the severity of the illness.

In summary, the latest WHO report on MERS indicates four new cases in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the continuous risk of the virus. All affected individuals had underlying health issues, and the investigation identified no additional cases. While research into potential vaccines is underway, MERS remains a significant concern in regions with prevalent camel populations, especially in the Middle East.

Original Source: www.cidrap.umn.edu