Sciency Thoughts: Coronoviruses

Showing posts with label Coronoviruses. Show all posts

Saturday, 27 December 2025

Nineteen cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus infection reported in 2025.

Nineteen cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus infection have been reported in 2025 till 21 December, according to a press release issued by the World Health Organization on 24 December. Seventeen of these cases have been reported from Saudi Arabia, and two from France. There have been two fatalities attributed to the disease this year, both in Saudi Arabia. Both cases reported in France were individuals who had recently returned from the Arabian Peninsula.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus was first reported in Jordan in 2012, since when there have been 2635 cases reported from 27 countries in all six of the World Heath Organization's regions (Africa, the Americas, Southeast Asia, Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Western Pacific), with 964 associated fatalities (a case fatality ratio of 37%). However, 84% of these countries (2224 individual infections) have been reported from a single country, Saudi Arabia.

The epidemic curve of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus infections (2635) and deaths (964) reported globally between 2012 and 2025. World Health Organization.

Of the seventeen cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus infection reported in 2025, ten were reported in Riyadh Province, three from the city of Tiaf, two from Najran Province, one from Hail Province, and one from the city of Hafr Al-Batin. Details of the French cases, other than that they occurred in individuals who had recently returned from the Arabian Peninsula, are not available.

Geographical distribution of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus infections between 1 January and 21 December 2025. World Health Organization.

Both of the infections reported in France were in the month of December and are still under investigation. These cases bring the total number of reported cases in France to four, with two previous cases in 2013, also in individuals who had recently returned from the Arabian Peninsula.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome is a viral respiratory infection caused by the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, a form of positive sense single-strand RNA Virus. Approximately 36% of patients with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome have died, though this may be an overestimate of the true mortality rate, as mild cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus may be missed by existing surveillance systems, and the case fatality ratio is calculated based only on laboratory-confirmed cases.

Structure and genomic organisation of a Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Viron. Bleibtreu et al. (2020).

Humans are infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus from direct or indirect contact with Dromedary Camels, which are the natural host and zoonotic source of the Virus. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus has demonstrated the ability to transmit between Humans. So far, non-sustained Human-to-Human transmission has occurred among close contacts and in healthcare settings and outside of the healthcare setting, there has been limited Human-to-Human transmission.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus infections range from showing no symptoms (asymptomatic) or mild respiratory symptoms, to severe acute respiratory disease and death. A typical presentation of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome disease is fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Pneumonia is a common finding, but not always present. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea, have also been reported. Severe illness can cause respiratory failure that requires mechanical ventilation and support in an intensive care unit. The virus appears to cause more severe disease in older people, persons with weakened immune systems, and those with co-morbidities or chronic diseases such as renal disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, and diabetes.

No vaccine or specific treatment is currently available, although several Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-specific vaccines and therapeutics are in development. Treatment is supportive and based on the patient’s clinical condition and symptoms.

Friday, 1 September 2023

Two Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus related deaths in Saudi Arabia in the last year.

From 13 September 2022 to 12 August 2023, three laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, including two deaths, were reported to the World Health Organization by the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, according to a press release issued by the World Health Organization on 29 August 2023. Close contacts for the three cases were followed up by the Ministry of Health, and no secondary cases were identified. The notification of these cases reiterates the need for global awareness of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus as the disease continues to pose a threat in countries where Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus is circulating in Dromedary Camels, including those in the Middle East.

Between 13 September 2022 to 12 August 2023, the Ministry of Health of the Kingdon of Saudi Arabia reported three additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, with two associated deaths. The cases were reported from Riyadh, Aseer, and Makkah provinces. Laboratory confirmation of the cases was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus cases reported by Kingdon of Saudi Arabia between 13 September 2022 and 12 August 2023. World Health Organization.

All three cases were non-health-care workers, who presented with fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and had comorbidities. Of the three cases, two had a history of contact with Dromedary Camels and all three cases had a history of consumption of raw Camel milk in the 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms. All three cases were male, and aged 42, 83, and 85 years respectively.

Since the first report of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2012, human infections have been reported from 27 countries, in all six World Health Organization regions. Of the reported 2605 cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, the majority cases (2196 cases or 84% the total) have been reported from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including these newly reported cases. Of the 937 deaths reported from 27 countries, a total of 856 (91%) deaths have been reported from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including the newly reported deaths.

Epidemic curve of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus cases and deaths reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between 2012 and 12 August 2023. World Health Organization.

Structure and genomic organization of a Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Viron. Bleibtreu et al. (2020).

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus infections range from showing no symptoms (asymptomatic) or mild respiratory symptoms, to severe acute respiratory disease and death. A typical presentation of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome disease is fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Pneumonia is a common finding, but not always present. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea, have also been reported. Severe illness can cause respiratory failure that requires mechanical ventilation and support in an intensive care unit. The virus appears to cause more severe disease in older people, persons with weakened immune systems, and those with comorbidities or chronic diseases such as renal disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, and diabetes.

Follow-up of the close contacts was conducted for all three cases, and no secondary cases were identified. For the two cases reporting contact with camels, the Ministry of Agriculture was informed, and an investigation of camels was conducted. There are no treatments available for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in animals. The identified positive camels were isolated until real-time polymerase chain reaction testing was negative.

From 13 September 2012 to 12 August 2023, the total number of laboratory-confirmed Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus infection cases reported globally to the World Health Organization was 2605, with 937 associated deaths (a case fatality ratio of 36%). The majority of cases occurred in countries in the Arabian Peninsula, including 2196 cases with 856 related deaths (a case fatality ratio of 39%) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. There has been one large outbreak outside of the Middle East, in the Republic of Korea, in May 2015, during which 186 laboratory-confirmed cases (185 in the Republic of Korea and 1 in China) and 38 deaths were reported. The index case in that outbreak had a travel history to the Middle East. The global number reflects the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases reported to the World Health Organization under the International Health Regulations (2005) or directly by Ministries of Health. The total number of deaths includes the deaths that the World Health Organization is aware of to date through follow-up with affected Member States.

The World Health Organization expects that additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus infection will be reported from the Middle East and/or other countries where Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus is circulating in Dromedaries, and that cases will continue to be exported to other countries by individuals who were exposed to the virus through contact with dromedaries or their products (for example, consumption of raw camel milk), or in a healthcare setting. the World Health Organization continues to monitor the epidemiological situation and conducts risk assessment based on the latest available information.

The number of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome cases reported to the World Health Organization has substantially declined since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is likely the result of epidemiological surveillance activities for COVID-19 being prioritized and the similar clinical picture of both diseases, resulting in reduced testing and detection of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus cases. The Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is working to improve testing capacities for better detection of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (the causative agent of COVID-19, such as mask wearing, hand hygiene, physical distancing, improving ventilation of indoor spaces, respiratory etiquette, stay-at-home orders, reduced mobility, also likely reduced opportunities for onward human-to-human transmission of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus.

Based on the current situation and available information, the World Health Organization re-emphasizes the importance of strong surveillance by all Member States for acute respiratory infections, including Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, and to carefully review and investigate any unusual patterns.

Human-to-human transmission of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in healthcare settings has been associated with delays in recognizing the early symptoms of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus infection, slow triage of suspected cases, and delays in implementing infection, prevention, and control measures. Infection, prevention, and control measures are critical to prevent the possible spread of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus between people in healthcare facilities. Healthcare workers should always apply standard precautions consistently with all patients, at every interaction in healthcare settings. Droplet precautions should be added to the standard precautions when providing care to patients with symptoms of acute respiratory infection; contact precautions and eye protection should be added when caring for probable or confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus infection; airborne precautions should be applied when performing aerosol generating procedures or in settings where aerosol generating procedures are conducted. Early identification, case management and isolation of cases, quarantine of contacts, together with appropriate infection prevention and control measures in health care setting and public health awareness can prevent human-to-human transmission of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus appears to cause more severe disease in people with underlying chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, renal failure, chronic lung disease, and immunocompromised persons. Therefore, people with these underlying medical conditions should avoid close contact with Animals, particularly Dromedaries, when visiting farms, markets, or barn areas where the Virus may be circulating. General hygiene measures, such as regular hand washing before and after touching Animals and avoiding contact with sick Animals, should be adhered to.

Food hygiene practices should be observed. People should avoid drinking raw camel milk, camel urine or eating meat that has not been thoroughly cooked. The consumption of raw or undercooked Animal products, including milk and meat, carries a high risk of infection from pathogens that may cause disease in Humans. Animal products that are processed appropriately through cooking or pasteurization are safe for consumption. Foods that have gone through these processes should be handled with care to avoid cross contamination with uncooked/unsafe foods. Camel meat and Camel milk are nutritious products that can continue to be consumed after cooking, pasteurization, or other thermal treatments.

The World Health Organization does not advise special screening at points of entry regarding this event, nor does it currently recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions.

Wednesday, 26 July 2023

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus reported in the United Arab Emirates.

On 10 July 2023, the United Arab Emirates, notified the World Health Organization of a case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in a 28-year-old male from Al Ain city in Abu Dhabi, according to a press release issued by the World Health Organization on 12 July 2023. The case had no history of direct or indirect contact with Dromedaries, Goats, or Sheep (the Animals believed to be the main vectors for the Virus). The patient was admitted to the hospital on 8 June. A nasopharyngeal swab was collected on 21 June and tested positive for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus by polymerase chain reaction (on 23 June 2023. All 108 identified contacts were monitored for 14 days from the last date of exposure to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus patient. No secondary cases have been detected to date.

Since July 2013, when the United Arab Emirates reported the first case of MERS-CoV, 94 confirmed cases (including this new case) and 12 deaths have been reported. Globally, the total number of confirmed Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus cases reported to the World Health Organization since 2012 is 2605, including 936 associated deaths.

The World Health Organization continues to monitor the epidemiological situation and conducts risk assessments based on the latest available information. The World Health Organization expects that additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus infection will be reported from the Middle East and/or other countries where Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus is circulating in Dromedaries.

The World Health Organization re-emphasizes the importance of strong surveillance by all Member States for acute respiratory infections, including Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, and to carefully review any unusual patterns.

On 10 July 2023, the International Health Regulations National Focal Point of the United Arab Emirates notified the World Health Organization of a confirmed case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in Abu Dhabi. The patient is a 28-year-old male, non- Emirati national living in Al Ain city, a non-healthcare worker. The case visited a private medical centre multiple times between 3 and 7 June 2023, complaining of vomiting, right flank pain, and dysuria (pain when passing urine). On 8 June, the case presented to a government hospital with vomiting, and gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhoea, and was given an initial diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, acute kidney injury, and sepsis.

On 13June, he was in critical condition and referred to an intensive care unit (at a specialized government tertiary hospital where he was put on mechanical ventilation. He deteriorated and a nasopharyngeal swab was collected on 21June and tested positive for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus by polymerase chain reaction on 23June 2023.

The case has no known co-morbidities, no history of contact with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Human cases, and no recent travel outside the United Arab Emirates. The patient has no known history of direct contact with Animals including Dromedary Camels, nor consumption of their raw products.

All 108 contacts that were identified have been monitored for 14 days from the last date of exposure to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus patient, no secondary case was identified. The case has no family members or household contacts identified in the United Arab Emirates.

Prior to this notification, the last Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus infection reported from the United Arab Emirates was in November 2021. The first laboratory-confirmed case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in United Arab Emirates was in July 2013. Since then, the United Arab Emirates has reported 94 cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (including this current case) and 12 associated deaths (a Case Fatality Ratio of 13%).

Middle East respiratory syndrome is a viral respiratory infection that is caused by a Coronavirus called Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, a form of single-strand RNA Virus. Humans are infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus from direct or indirect contact with Dromedary Camels who are the natural host and zoonotic source of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus infection.

Structure and genomic organization of a Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Viron. Bleibtreu et al. (2020).

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus infections range from asymptomatic or mild respiratory symptoms to severe acute respiratory disease and death. A typical presentation of a person with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus disease is fever, cough and shortness of breath. Pneumonia is a common finding, but not always present. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea, have also been reported. The Virus appears to cause more severe disease in older people, persons with weakened immune systems and those with chronic diseases such as renal disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, and diabetes. Severe illness can cause respiratory failure that requires mechanical ventilation and support in an intensive care unit resulting in high mortality.

No vaccine or specific treatment is currently available, although several Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-specific vaccines and treatments are in development. Treatment is supportive and based on the patient’s clinical condition.