Saudi Arabia: MERS-CoV infects nine people in July /update 2

Event

The Saudi Ministry of Health announced that nine confirmed cased of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) were reported in the kingdom in July. According to the World Health Organization, 182 cases of the disease were reported between July 2017 through June 2018. The most affected areas include Jeddah and Najran.

Context

Known disease vectors of MERS-CoV transmission include camels and, in rare cases, other humans. Symptoms of MERS-CoV include acute respiratory issues (e.g., shortness of breath), fever, cough, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. No vaccine is currently available.

Advice

All those present in Saudi Arabia are advised to take the necessary measures to protect themselves against contact with animals and individuals suspected of being infected. People exhibiting the above symptoms are advised to seek immediate medical attention.