Saudi MOH Reports 9 More MERS Cases In Riyadh

 

 

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Although they telegraphed today’s new total several hours ago in an updated banner, the Saudi MOH has just published today’s update with the largest one-day tally of  MERS cases since May 11th; nine new patients, 2 deaths, and 1 recovery – all from the capital city of Riyadh.

 

One Healthcare worker is cited, but all 9 are listed as contacts of previously identified cases.  The individual details of their exposures are not provided, but many in recent days have been listed as nosocomial in nature.

 

Over the past 14 days Saudi Arabia has reported 48 MERS infections, with 45 of those from from Riyadh.  Cases in the capital city have been attributed to a large familial cluster, a large number of hospital acquired cases, a couple with recent camel exposure, and the rest are either unknown or unspecified.

Although cases have been reported during every month of the year, in the short history of human MERS detections, we typically see fewer cases during the summer. (August 2013=20, August 2014=5).

 

Over the past couple of years we’ve seen several high profile MOH campaigns to improve hospital infection control protocols, yet the effective control of MERS in Saudi Hospitals remains an elusive goal.

For more on this you may wish to revisit MERS, HCWs, And Infection Control.