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Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has infected at least 1370 individuals (including asymptomatic cases) in Saudi Arabia since 2012 ( e.g. ProMED link ). Since mid-February 2016, Buraidah in Al Qassim region in Saudia Arabia has been experiencing a local MERS outbreak with 23 cases reported through March 16, 2016 ( link ). As of April 3, 2016 there have been an additional 11 cases reported, bringing the total cases reported from Buraidah by Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health to 34.   Many of these cases are a result of nosocomial infection, but perhaps as many as eight of these cases were community acquired infections with some individuals having contact with animals. Among these 34 cases, 17 have been reported as deaths so far. (see note) While the Buraidah MERS outbreak has raised concerns, the 34 cases from Buraidah represented about 40% of all MERS cases reported from Saudi Arabia since January 1, 2016. The majority of MERS cases since January 1, 2016, about 49 cases, have b...

Since late February, a Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak has been occurring in northcentral Saudi Arabia in Buraidah in the Al Qassim region. Through March 16, 2016, there have been 23 MERS cases reported from Buraidah by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health (SAMOH), include 6 females and 17 males, ranging in age from 22 to 84 years. Six of the cases are healthcare workers. Based on reports by the SAMOH, 11 of these individuals have died. Only five individuals have been reported to have recovered. Constructing a preliminary timeline of Buraidah outbreak Details are only available from the World Health Organization (WHO) for 18 of these cases prior to March 10, 2016. ( link , link ) At least five of the cases reported by WHO appear to be community-acquired infections which suggest that MERS may be wide-spread in the Buraidah community. These individuals include a 40 year-old male (WHO 1670) who experienced symptoms on February 22 and was hospitalized the same day. It is n...

Since 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been notified of 1626 laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Virus Syndrome (MERS) as of January 7, 2016 ( link ). These cases have been reported from 26 countries as shown on the map and table below. Cases have been reported from most continents: North America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. No cases have been yet been reported from South America, Australia, or the sparsely inhabited Antarctica. More than 75% of these cases have been reported from Saudi Arabia.  Countries Reporting MERS infections to WHO   Worldwide count of MERS cases   The earliest cases of MERS in 2012 were geographically associated with countries in the Middle East. Numerous cases in Saudi Arabia are reported as “primary cases”, autochthonous cases, which have been infected from local animal hosts. Current research indicates that camel populations on the Arabian Peninsula are a reservoir for this coronavirus, although there may be ot...

The current outbreak in Riyadh started mid-July when a 56-year-old man became infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS). This individual had frequent contacts with camels and consumed raw camel milk. This man infected his 52-year-old wife, his 53-year-old brother, and 30-year old son. The index case and his wife are reported to have died. Almost 120 cases have been confirmed during this MERS outbreak in Riyadh through August 28, 2015.   As in other MERS outbreaks, more males then females are infected, about 61%. The males range in age from 2-109 years old with a median age of 61. The females range in age from 25 to 98 with a median age of 58. The fatality rate for this outbreak is about 25%, with similar death percentages for both males and females. However the fatality statistics could change because the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health is reporting that there are at least 50 cases still under treatment. In this outbreak, most of the infections had been con...