Saudi Arabia puts population on alert after increase in MERS cases

Saudi Arabia’s Health Ministry on Monday urged the population of the world’s top oil exporter to renew precautions against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) after a rise in new cases of the disease since September. The Health Ministry has announced a total of 23 confirmed new cases this month of the virus, which causes coughing, fever and sometimes fatal pneumonia. In addition to the 12 cases detected in September, this brings the total number in the kingdom to 777 since it was identified in 2012, of which 331 died.

The Health Ministry… urged adherence to preventative measures to curb the spread of the disease, and to avoiding contact with infected camels, and an emphasis on measures to combat infection in health facilities.

Saudi press statement

The increase in cases in October has been evident across the country, Health Ministry figures show, with seven confirmed cases in Riyadh, six in Mecca, five in Taif and one each in Medina, al-Jouf, Najran, Hofuf and Jubail. Three of the new cases were health workers. Scientists are not sure of the origin of the virus, but several studies have linked it to camels and some experts think it is being passed to humans through close physical contact or through the consumption of camel meat or camel milk. The disease can then spread between people, and the largest previous outbreaks, including one in Jeddah in April and May that infected hundreds, have been linked to poor infection control procedures in hospitals.

Health MERS