Ebola is not the only viral disease outbreak occurring in the world right now that has the distinct chance of arriving at an airport near you.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)/Cynthia Goldsmith; Azaibi Tamin
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)/Cynthia Goldsmith; Azaibi Tamin

The Middle East Respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreak continues on the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in Saudi Arabia.

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) outbreak update, between 29 September and 11 October 2014, 7 additional cases of MERS-CoV infection were reported, including 1 death, with details as follows:

  • A 69 year old male from Taif City who developed symptoms on 17 September 2014. The patient has comorbidities and his possible contact with animals and consumption of raw camel products is currently under investigation.
  • A 65 year old male from Jubail City who developed symptoms on 24 September 2014. The patient has comorbidities, frequent contact with camels and frequently consumes raw camel milk.
  • A 70 year old male from Alhenakiah City who developed symptoms on 24 September 2014. The patient has comorbidities, frequent contact with camels and frequently consumes raw camel milk.
  • A 60 year old male from Geiya city who developed symptoms on 1 October 2014. The patient has comorbidities, frequent contact with camels and frequently consumes raw camel milk.
  • A 51 year old male from Haradh City who developed symptoms on 30 September 2014. The case died on 05 October 2014. The patient had comorbidities, frequent contact with camels and frequently consumed raw camel milk.
  • A 77 year old male from Taif City who developed symptoms on 3 October 2014. The patient has comorbidities and became infected while hospitalized.
  • A 50 year old non-national male from Najran City who developed symptoms on 3 October 2014. He reported no history of contact with animals, but resides in an area with heavy presence of camel farms.

The tracing of household contacts is ongoing for these cases.

In addition, the deaths of 4 previously reported MERS-CoV cases from Saudi Arabia were also reported.

Related: Suspected MERS case in Texas

In addition, retrospective review of records also shows 19 additional cases of MERS-CoV infection, including 11 deaths between August 2013 and May 2014.

Globally, 877 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV including at least 317 related deaths have been reported to WHO.