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Since 2012, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has infected almost 300 people, many of them healthcare workers including nurses and doctors. Infections of health care workers and patients that take place within or are associated with a hospital or health care facility are referred to as nosocomial infections. A large number of MERS cases can be classified as nosocomial infections. For the purposes of this discussion, localized geographic clusters of MERS-CoV cases that appear to represent hospital-acquired infections are referred to as nosocomial MERS clusters. Under this definition, there has been at least 10 separate nosocomial clusters of MERS cases. Of these clusters, only two have been reported in the literature [1,2]. The remaining nosocomial clusters are identified based on media reports, ministry of health reports, and World Health Organization reports. The quality of this data is uncertain but trends are clear and speculations can be advanced.  Th...

As of  April 15, the total number of MERS-CoV cases associated with the outbreak in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia was at least 30 individuals.  See: Current Status of the MERS-CoV Outbreak in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia  The count of MERS cases in the Jeddah outbreak is now at least 47 individuals, including one pilgrim from Malaysia ( link ) who died. A media report indicates that two other traveling companions from Malaysia are now exhibiting symptoms as well ( link ). Whether these two other individuals were infected from a common source in Jeddah or a result of human-to-human transmission remains to be reported.

Since the middle of March, 2014, more than 30 individuals have been infected with MERS-CoV in the city of Jeddah in Eastern Saudi Arabia as reported by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Ministry of Health.   Almost half of these cases have been officially reported in the past five days. The official information provided by KSA on these cases is inconsistent. Onset dates after March 28, 2014, have not been reported for any the remaining 25+ cases. With the exception, of a father-son family cluster, few details are provided about the nature of the relationship between cases. Of these cases, 17 are reported as healthcare workers suggesting that many of these cases are a result of nosocomial infection. Four or five of these healthcare workers are reported as asymptomatic.  The cases range in age from 25 to 71 years old. The mean age is 40 years old and the median age is 33 years old.   The infected individuals in Jeddah are on the average younger than previously reported cas...

Several outbreaks of MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) have been reported in hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during this past week. According to a computer translation of a current media report ( link ), as many as 21 locally confirmed MERS cases have been identified in Jeddah.   These cases include nine cases at   King Abdulaziz University Hospital, seven at King Fahd Hospital,   and five at King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital.   These outbreaks include both doctors and nurses.     In addition, the report suggest that the Jeddah National Guard hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City,   will also process MERS cases if necessary. The map below depicts the locations of these four hospitals in the Jeddah area. T he source of  the MERS coronavirus have been reported to be camels for some human cases. The source of infection for the cases in Jeddah is unclear, but at least several health care workers have been infected and one died indicating t...

Since August 28, seven cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-Cov) infection have been reported from the city of Madinah (Medina) by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health. Only minimal information about these cases has been provided in media statements.   The table below presents the information on these seven cases. Several have had contact with previously confirmed cases. Three individuals have died. Two individuals including one healthcare worker are reported as asymptomatic. And two individuals including the first reported case from Medina are still being treated.   Although it is possible that the initial case, the 55M, may have died and is double counted and reported as Case 2 in the table below. It is difficult to reconcile this case list with unconfirmed media reports from September 7 of   a doctor’s death in Medina. [1] Without more information, it is not possible to speculate whether there is one or more clusters, and whether or no...