Millhouse

Worldcue® Alert
Severity: Informational Alert

Health: Authorities Increasing Global Surveillance for Novel Coronavirus Infections

The locations affected by this alert are:

Germany
Pakistan
Jordan
Qatar
United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
United Kingdom

This alert began 27 Mar 2013 21:45 GMT and is scheduled to expire 30 Apr 2013 23:59 GMT.

Summary
International authorities continue to report sporadic cases of the novel coronavirus, HCoV-EMC. Although the majority of cases have been linked to the Middle East - especially Saudi Arabia - some cases have occurred or have been treated in Europe.

To date, authorities have confirmed 17 HCoV-EMC cases and 11 related deaths.

Background

The novel HCoV-EMC virus is related to but distinct from the coronavirus responsible for the 2002-2003 SARS outbreaks. These two pathogens cause different pathologies and appear to be transmitted differently. Although the earliest known HCoV-EMC cases occurred in Jordan in April 2012, most infections have occurred in Saudi Arabia since September.

Officials have closely monitored all close contacts of known HCoV-EMC cases since the virus was first discovered; because instances of secondary infections have been so rare, officials maintain that the risk of person-to-person HCoV-EMC transmission is very low. Researchers continue to search for a definitive source of infection, and authorities have issued recommendations on what pneumonia patients should be tested for HCoV-EMC. As authorities improve surveillance and reporting of HCoV-EMC cases, experts anticipate an increasing number of confirmed infections - including infections confirmed in an increasing number of countries. This would not necessarily indicate increasing transmission, but could reflect a more accurate understanding of HCoV-EMC prevalence in the environment.

Advice
Because of the extreme rarity of known HCoV-EMC infections and the lack of definite sources of infection, health officials can only emphasize the need for general health precautions to prevent infection. Individuals - especially residents of or travelers to the Middle East - should maintain strict hand and respiratory hygiene, should avoid obviously ill individuals, and may consider avoiding large crowds. Individuals seeking medical attention for pneumonia should inform their healthcare provider of any travel history. Individuals should ensure they are up-to-date on all recommended vaccinations, because HCoV-EMC coinfections have occurred alongside other pathogens, and such coinfections may exacerbate HCoV-EMC illness.

shiva

The CDC have a dedicated page for this new corona virus. So far it's limited in transmission to people within the same households or close contact but it could well be one a threat.

The real worry here is that should this or any other nasty virus become a real problem then cases will be hidden, mis reported, unreported and generally lied about until its too late. Most western governments and developed nations share information a out these things openly and freely to help combat them. Not something that comes naturally to the powers that be in the region.

One of the viral nightmare scenarios is a nasty bug in Saudi during Haj. Not nasty enough to kill during Haj but nasty enough to be spread around the world by millions of pilgrims.

shiva

I should add that so far it seems all the fatalities have been in people with existing respiratory problems

shiva

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/...abia-qatar.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ncv/case-def.html

Millhouse

also - it doesn't seem very infectious.

edit - I'm not scaremongering here - I get these alerts most days.

shiva

No so far it's transmission is vey limited and there are hundreds of these alerts each year. This one however is being seen as having some potential to become nasty. Potential only mind, so kcco

Millhouse

of course, the UAE infection and subsequent death has not been reported as far as I can see... confirming your first statement.

shiva

what statement, i made no statement, you are mistaken my fiend.

Beakersful

I can down with red spots over my body after eating out and have had a runny nose since. Anything to worry about?

shiva

Yup you're ****ed

OriginalSunshine

oh, that's ok then let's kill off all those pesky asthmatics then

shiva

Not really but the natural progression of things is the sick frail elderly and young followed by the fit and healthy. Once a virus hits the last group it's truly ****ing dangerous to humanity

britexpat76

My left knee is screwed, where do I fit in. Somewhere after the sick, frail and old?

OleJanx

The halt and the lame...

scot47

I don't get hangovers any more. Is that a danger sign ?