• Read the situation update for December 2019At the end of December 2019, a total of 2502 laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), including 861 associated deaths (case–fatality rate: 34.4%) were reported globally. The majority of these cases were reported from Saudi Arabia (2106 cases, including 783 related deaths with a case-fatality rate of 37.2%).
• Since the last update was published, a total of eight new laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS were reported globally. Four cases were reported from Saudi Arabia with three associated deaths, one case was reported from the United Arab Emirates and a cluster of three cases was reported from Qatar. No infections were reported among health care workers this month.
• The demographic and epidemiological characteristics of reported cases do not show any significant difference or change when compared with the same corresponding periods between 2014 and 2019. The number of cases reported in this period was less than all other corresponding periods except for 2018.
• The age group of 50–59 year-olds continues to be at the highest risk of acquiring infection as primary cases. The age group 30–39 year-olds is most at risk as secondary cases. The number of deaths is highest within the age group of 50–59 year-olds when they are primary cases and among 70–79 year-olds when they are secondary cases.

Read the latest MERS update for December 2019

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