Vigilance Over MERS Remains High But New Case Numbers Subsiding

News outlets report on the ongoing Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak, which seems to be subsiding, according to the WHO, and did not spread from person-to-person in the U.S., according to the CDC.

Agence France-Presse: MERS cases in decline, vigilance urged for Hajj: WHO
“A surge in cases of the deadly MERS virus has receded, but countries must maintain vigilance for the Muslim pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia, worst hit by the disease, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday…” (6/17).

HealthDay News: MERS Virus Did Not Spread in 2 U.S. Cases: Health Officials
“The potentially deadly MERS virus did not spread from two patients in the United States to any people in their homes or to health care workers who treated them, federal health officials said Tuesday…” (Preidt, 6/17).

Reuters: WHO says MERS virus of concern before haj, surge abating
“The deadly MERS virus remains a serious public health problem, especially with the approach of haj pilgrimages, but a recent surge in Saudi cases of the respiratory disease appears to be abating, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday…” (Kelland, 6/17).

Reuters: In U.S., MERS patients did not spread infection to close contacts: CDC
“Neither of the two U.S. cases of MERS has spread the often fatal infection to family members or to U.S. health care workers who treated them in Indiana and Florida, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday…” (Steenhuysen, 6/17).

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