13 MERS cases in Oman until the end of February: WHO – Oman

Muscat –

Thirteen cases of laboratory-confirmed Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) were reported in Oman in 2019 until the end of February. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "At the end of February 2019, 2,374 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS, including 823 badociated deaths, have been reported worldwide. The majority of these cases came from Saudi Arabia (1,983 cases, of which 745 are related). In February, 76 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS were reported worldwide: 68 in Saudi Arabia with 10 badociated deaths and 8 in Oman with two deaths.

Between January 29 and the end of February, 52 laboratory-confirmed cases and seven badociated deaths were reported: one suspected index, three unknown exposures, ten sporadic primary cases, 38 secondary cases (seven household contacts and 31 cases acquired at the end of February). the hospital, including 11 health workers).

"In Oman, four other secondary cases were linked to the previously reported group in January and a new unrelated group of four cases (including one health worker) and two deaths also. The new cluster includes a suspected index case and three secondary cases. In January, 19 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS were reported worldwide – 14 in Saudi Arabia with three badociated deaths and five in Oman with two badociated deaths.

"The reported Oman cluster included five women (aged 30 to 59) living in the same area. Of these, four were secondary cases, identified by the search for the first case detected on January 24, "added WHO. "Prior to this event, Oman had notified 11 cases of laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV infection since 2012."

The demographic and epidemiological characteristics of the reported cases, compared during the same period from 2013 to 2019, show no significant difference or change, except for the increase in the number of secondary and secondary cases. case of health workers due to hatching at the hospital. month.

The age group 50-59 continues to be most at risk of infection in primary cases. The 30 to 39 age group is most at risk for secondary cases. The number of deaths is higher in the age group 50-59 for primary cases and 70-79 for secondary cases.