New Deadly MERS CoV Outbreak Linked to Camels

Overview

On October 2, 2024, the World Health Organization reported a new case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Saudi Arabia, raising alarms about potential transmission routes and the risk of further outbreaks. The patient, a man in his early 50s with underlying health conditions, exhibited symptoms of MERS after traveling from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan. This incident highlights ongoing concerns surrounding MERS, which has a significant mortality rate and can lead to severe respiratory illnesses.

Saudi Arabia Reports

A new case of MERS-CoV in Saudi Arabia. The infected individual is a male aged between 50 and 55 from the Eastern Region of the Kingdom. Despite having underlying health conditions, he had no known contact with camels or involvement in the healthcare sector, making the source of his infection concerning.

Patient's Symptoms and Hospitalization

The patient began showing symptoms on August 28, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, and palpitations, while traveling. On August 31, he was admitted to a local hospital for cardiac treatment and was later transferred to a medical complex. However, he chose to discharge himself against medical advice on September 1. Following his discharge, a nasopharyngeal swab taken that day tested positive for MERS on September 4 through Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing.

Delayed Reporting and Cross-Border Concerns

The WHO's announcement of the infection came more than a month later, raising concerns about undisclosed cases within the country. Notably, the patient traveled to Pakistan on September 2, suggesting the possibility of the virus being transmitted across borders.

Contact Tracing and Monitoring

In response to the case, Saudi health authorities initiated contact tracing and monitored 26 individuals who had come into contact with the patient. This group included 23 healthcare workers, one household member, and two other patients. Fortunately, no secondary cases were detected, and all contacts tested negative for the MERS virus.

Patient's Recovery in Pakistan

After notification of the positive result, the patient was located in Pakistan and transferred to a public hospital, where he was isolated and treated. Follow-up tests indicated that he had a low viral load, and subsequent tests on 41 samples from his contacts in Pakistan returned negative results. The patient was discharged from the hospital on September 13 after testing negative for MERS and has since fully recovered.

MERS Cases in 2024

Since the beginning of 2024, Saudi Arabia has reported a total of five MERS cases, including four deaths. This recent case marks the first reported instance of MERS since May 2024. The WHO's risk assessment for MERS remains moderate at both global and regional levels.

Symptoms and Severity of MERS

MERS typically manifests with symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Severe cases can lead to respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, similar to COVID-19. The virus poses a greater risk to older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, and those with chronic health conditions, such as renal disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, and diabetes.

Global MERS Statistics

Since its emergence in April 2012, there have been a total of 2,622 reported cases of MERS worldwide, resulting in 953 deaths, which accounts for a mortality rate of 36%. In 2024 alone, Saudi Arabia has reported four MERS-related deaths, highlighting the ongoing health threat posed by this virus.

Conclusion

The recent MERS outbreak in Saudi Arabia serves as a reminder of the persistent risks associated with this virus, especially regarding cross-border transmission. The health authorities' swift response and contact tracing efforts demonstrate the importance of vigilance in monitoring and managing infectious diseases to prevent further outbreaks.