Three persons have died of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in Saudi Arabia in the last 13 days.
WHO said on Wednesday that between August 3 and 9, the National IHR Focal Point for Saudi Arabia notified it of 17 additional cases of MERS-CoV infection, including three deaths.
All the dead were in their seventies.
A 72-year-old female from Riyadh city developed symptoms on 2 August while admitted to hospital for an unrelated medical condition since 29 July. This hospital has been experiencing a MERS-CoV outbreak. The patient, who had comorbidities, tested positive for MERS-CoV on 4 August and passed away on 9 August.
A 78-year-old male from Riyadh city tested positive for MERS-CoV on 28 July and died on 31 July.
A 75-year-old, non-national male from Riyadh city developed symptoms on 21 July while hospitalized for an unrelated medical condition. This hospital has been experiencing a MERS-CoV outbreak. The patient, who had comorbidities, tested positive for MERS-CoV on 27 July and died away on 4 August.
Globally, since September 2012, WHO has been notified of 1,401 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including at least 500 related deaths.
WHO urged all Member States to continue their surveillance for acute respiratory infections and to carefully review any unusual patterns.
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