The Centre for Health Protection is monitoring 13 newly reported cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in Saudi Arabia and calls on the people to be cautious following the recent sharp rise in cases in the country.
The patients are nine men and four women, aged 26 to 78. Twelve of them are associated with an outbreak in the country’s capital, Riyadh. Eight of them have underlying illnesses, seven are contacts of previously confirmed patients and three are healthcare workers.
There was a sharp increase in MERS cases in Saudi Arabia from 16 in July to 90 as of August 23, mainly related to a hospital outbreak in Riyadh. The centre calls on the healthcare sector and the public to be cautious as cases may be exported from the country’s travellers, migrant workers or pilgrims.
In addition, a previously confirmed patient died.
To date, 1,474 cases have been reported to the World Health Organisation, including at least 515 deaths. Of the reported cases, 1,261 were confirmed in nine Middle East countries, including 1,143 in Saudi Arabia, 76 in the United Arab Emirates, 13 in Qatar, 12 in Jordan, six each in Iran and Oman, three in Kuwait, and one each in Lebanon and Yemen.
The centre advises travel agents organising tours to the region not to arrange camel rides and activities involving the animals, which may increase the risk of infection.
