Saudi Arabia has confirmed yet another case of respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in the Assir region.

World Health Organisation (WHO) has been notified of this laboratory-confirmed case of the MERS-CoV infection involving an 83-year-old man who took ill on July 17 and is currently bring treated at a hospital.

Earlier, a patient, also from Assir region, died due to complications of the disease.

Globally, from September 2012 to date, WHO has recorded a total of 91 laboratory-confirmed cases of Mers-CoV, including 46 deaths.

WHO has encouraged all member states to continue to be alert over severe acute respiratory infections (Sari) and to carefully review any unusual patterns.

Health care providers have been advised to maintain vigil and recent travellers returning from the Middle East and developed Sari should be tested for MERS-CoV as advised in the current surveillance recommendations.

Specimens from patients’ lower respiratory tracts should be obtained for diagnosis where possible. Clinicians have been told that MERS-CoV infection should be considered even with atypical signs and symptoms, such as diarrhea, in patients who are immunocompromised.

Health care facilities have been urged to systematically implement the infection prevention and control (IPC) measures. Those that provide care for patients suspected or confirmed with MERS-CoV infection should take appropriate measures to contain the risk of transmission of the virus, health care workers and visitors.

All member states have been asked to promptly assess and notify WHO of any new case of infection with MERS-CoV, along with information about potential exposures that may have resulted due to infection and a description of the clinical course. Investigation into the source of exposure should promptly be initiated to identify the mode of exposure, so that further transmission of the virus can be prevented.

WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event nor does it currently recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions.

WHO has convened an Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (IHR) to advise the director-general on the status of the current situation. The committee, which comprises international experts from all WHO regions, unanimously advised that, with the information now available, and using a risk-assessment approach, the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) have not at present been met. - TradeArabia News Service