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The World Health Organisation (WHO) released a statement following the Sixth Meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee about the ongoing situation with MERS-CoV in the Middle East, saying the situation is concerning but does not constitute a public health emergency of international concern.
Prof David Heymann, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said:
“It is unfortunate and tragic that human infections, sickness and death continue to occur two years after this virus was first identified in humans.
“Many studies have been done, and information has been gained from them leading to high suspicion that camels may be involved in the transmission pathway to humans.
“Case control studies, where risk factors for transmission of this virus from nature to humans, are necessary and could help determine the way or ways in which people are becoming infected, and this information could be used to stop primary infections.
“Hospital infection control measures, especially those that protect health workers and other patients, must also be implemented in hospitals to prevent secondary infection of health workers and other contacts of patients. These measures also prevent transmission of other hospital related infections, and are best practice. Health workers are at great risk from emerging infections and can then unintentionally infect other patients and contacts including family members if hospital infection control measures are not in place or not being respected.”
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