Is a younger cohort being infected with MERS on the Arabian Pennisula?
A distinctive feature of the MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak is the fact that confirmed case-patients are dominated by elderly individuals. Through February 28, 2014, the average age of a MERS-infected individual in Saudi Arabia was 52.3 years old (n=157). A recent media report, however, suggests that the average of infected individuals is decreasing in Saudi Arabia. “A Health Ministry source, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the condition of anonymity, said that the average age of those being infected by the [MERS] virus is decreasing, adding that over the past four months the average age of those infected was between 35 and 40 years of age” ( link ) The statement is at variance with the data published by the Saudi Ministry of Health, although the age of infected individuals has been decreasing. Since March 1, 2014 the average age of an infected patient has only decreased to 46.8 years (n=32). This decrease in average age is sig...