The WHO reported four new MERS cases in Saudi Arabia since September 2024, including two fatalities. MERS is a severe respiratory infection primarily transmitted from camels. Current treatment is supportive as there is no specific cure or vaccine yet available. The risk assessment for MERS remains moderate overall, with the majority of infections historically reported within Saudi Arabia.
In a recent biannual update, the World Health Organization (WHO) disclosed that four new cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) have been reported in Saudi Arabia since September 6, 2024, with two fatalities among the infected individuals. MERS is a severe respiratory illness resulting from the MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV), presenting with symptoms including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Transmission primarily occurs from camels to humans, with rare cases of human-to-human spread.
Among the four men, aged 27 to 78 years and all with pre-existing health conditions, one contracted the virus in a hospital setting while another had indirect exposure to camels and consumed their raw milk. Importantly, none of these individuals were healthcare workers. The affected regions in Saudi Arabia include Hail (two cases), Riyadh (one case), and Eastern Province (one case).
At present, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments for MERS, although development efforts for MERS-CoV-specific therapeutics and vaccines are ongoing. Following the identification of these cases, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health conducted investigations and found no additional secondary infections among close contacts. Notably, the last recorded MERS case occurred on February 4, 2025.
The WHO noted, “The notification of these four cases does not alter the overall risk assessment, which remains moderate at both the global and regional levels.” They emphasized that MERS continues to present a risk in regions where it persists among dromedary camels, particularly in the Middle East.
Since the emergence of MERS in Saudi Arabia in 2012, a cumulative total of 2,618 infections have been documented globally, resulting in a 36% case-fatality rate. A significant majority, 84%, of these cases have been reported in Saudi Arabia, with no infections occurring outside the Middle East since 2019. The WHO reiterated that without a vaccine or targeted treatment, care primarily involves supportive measures tailored to symptom severity.
The recent WHO report indicates a slight uptick in MERS cases in Saudi Arabia, with a total of four new infections since September 2024, including two fatalities. The agency reiterates that the risk level remains stable while stressing the ongoing threat posed by MERS in the region. Efforts for potential vaccines and treatments continue as the case-fatality rate remains concerning since MERS was first identified in humans.
Original Source: www.cidrap.umn.edu
