MERS situation update, April 2019
Read the MERS situation update for April 2019- At the end of April 2019, a total of 2428 laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), including 838 associated deaths (case–fatality rate: 34.5%) were reported globally; the majority of these cases were reported from Saudi Arabia (2037 cases, including 760 related deaths with a case–fatality rate of 37.3%). During the month of April, a total of 29 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS were reported globally. All the 29 cases were reported from Saudi Arabia with 11 associated deaths.
- This month, Saudi Arabia has not reported any new cases related to the Wadi Aldwaser city outbreak. The outbreak has presumed to have stopped due to the effective response measures taken by Saudi Arabia. The country reported a new outbreak this month, in Al-Khafji city and one of its hospitals with 13 reported cases and 6 associated deaths. The cases are linked to two clusters: the first cluster has 10 cases (and 3 deaths) including 5 health care workers that contracted the infection in the hospital (with 1 death) , three hospital acquired cases (with 2 deaths) and one household contact.
- The demographic and epidemiological characteristics of reported cases, when compared during the same corresponding period of 2013 to 2019, do not show any significant difference or change, except for the increase in the number of secondary cases and healthcare worker cases due to the current hospital outbreak.
- The age group 50–59 years continues to be at highest risk for acquiring infection of primary cases. The age group 30–39 years is most at risk for secondary cases. The number of deaths is higher in the age group 50–59 years for primary cases and 70–79 years for secondary cases.
- Read the latest MERS update, April 2019
