The Jordanian MERS Outbreak Continues To Expand

 

# 10,503

 

While Saudi Arabia has pretty much cornered the MERS market the past couple of months, starting about 2 weeks ago we learned of one imported case (not surprisingly, from Saudi Arabia) in Amman Jordan, and over the next few days that number grew to 5 (see Jordan Reports 5th MERS Case In A Week). 

 

A week ago, with the count standing at 6, the WHO released an update where we learned the index case was treated, and released after a week, from a hospital in Amman.  He relapsed, and was admitted to another hospital five days later, where he tested positive for MERS two days post-admission, and died two days later.

 

The subsequent cases in Jordan appear to be the result of nosocomial transmission of the virus at one or more facilities where he was treated.

 

Last Saturday a media report (see Jordan: 3rd MERS Fatality Of 2015) indicated the number of cases had grown to 7, although details on the 7th case weren’t provided.   Yesterday PETRA, the state news agency of Jordan reported a 4th fatality, although the limited details made identifying the patient difficult. 

 

It was possibly the mysterious 7th case previously mentioned.

 

Today we have a very cryptic announcement of a 5th fatality at a private hospital, and an offhand mention that the number of cases now sits at 8.   No details are provided on the fatality, or on the 8th case (who may be one and the same . . .or not).

 

Jordan recorded the fifth death Balchorona

Amman, September 8 (Petra) - The Ministry of Health reported new deaths virus Koruna citizen torrid, was diagnosed with the disease in a private hospital. He Communicable Diseases director Dr Mohamed Abdullat in a statement issued by the Information Center on Tuesday evening that the deceased was admitted to a private hospital in Aasmhaz was suffers from pressure, diabetes and cardiac ischemia.

He added that the number of cases registered in Jordan since the first case of this year amounted to 8 cases died, including five cases. - (Petra) A T /

 

The Jordanian Ministry of Health website remains silent about these cases, although they have posted some generic information assuring the public all steps are being made to end this outbreak (see Committee Epidemiology confirms the safety measures to deal with Koruna).

When it comes to holding MERS information close to the vest, the Saudis obviously have nothing on the Jordanians.