The WHO said
the female health staff, from the Saudi regions of Assir
and Riyadh, both had mild symptoms of MERS, while a third new case in a
67-year-old woman from Riyadh was more severe, with that patient being treated
in hospital.
A study by international team of infectious diseases
experts who went to Saudi Arabia in
May to analyze an outbreak concluded that MERS infection is a "serious risk"
in hospitals because it is easily transmitted in healthcare settings.
The virus, which can cause coughing, fever and pneumonia in
those it infects and is often fatal, emerged in last year and has since spread
from the Gulf to France, Germany, Italy, Tunisia and
Britain.
Globally to date, there have been a total of 94
laboratory-confirmed cases including 46 deaths, according to latest WHO
figures. The vast majority of cases have been in Saudi Arabia.
The Geneva-based WHO said clinics and hospital caring for
patients suspected or confirmed with MERS infection "should take
appropriate measures to decrease the risk of transmission to other
patients, health care workers and visitors".
The United Nations health agency last week issued travel
and health advice for the millions of pilgrims who flock to the holy Saudi
cities of Mecca and Medina for the annual haj, saying the risk of MERS
infection among them was "very low."
Source: Reuter world news
No comments:
Post a Comment