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Mideast Virus Merits Caution, Not Alarm, W.H.O. Says Mideast Virus MERS Merits Caution, Not Alarm, W.H.O. Says
(about 2 hours later)
Despite their worries earlier this year, world health authorities say there is little reason to fear that the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which began Thursday, will spread the MERS virus widely around the world. But they are emphasizing that vigilance is still important.Despite their worries earlier this year, world health authorities say there is little reason to fear that the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which began Thursday, will spread the MERS virus widely around the world. But they are emphasizing that vigilance is still important.
The World Health Organization’s emergency committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome concluded on Wednesday that the outbreak, concentrated on the Arabian Peninsula, did not constitute an international health emergency.The World Health Organization’s emergency committee on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome concluded on Wednesday that the outbreak, concentrated on the Arabian Peninsula, did not constitute an international health emergency.
Separately, the risk of Ebola at the pilgrimage appeared low. Saudi Arabia has denied visas to all would-be pilgrims from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the three countries suffering major outbreaks. An unrelated Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is in an isolated rural area.Separately, the risk of Ebola at the pilgrimage appeared low. Saudi Arabia has denied visas to all would-be pilgrims from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the three countries suffering major outbreaks. An unrelated Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is in an isolated rural area.
This past spring, Saudi Arabia had hundreds of MERS cases. But there were only 15 known cases from mid-August to late September, the W.H.O. said. None were in the three cities visited by virtually all pilgrims — Jidda, Mecca and Medina.This past spring, Saudi Arabia had hundreds of MERS cases. But there were only 15 known cases from mid-August to late September, the W.H.O. said. None were in the three cities visited by virtually all pilgrims — Jidda, Mecca and Medina.
Some pilgrims do take side trips, and there have been four recent cases in Riyadh.Some pilgrims do take side trips, and there have been four recent cases in Riyadh.
Also, the first MERS case in Austria, detected on Monday, was in a 29-year-old Saudi woman who was reported to be from either Medina or Afif.Also, the first MERS case in Austria, detected on Monday, was in a 29-year-old Saudi woman who was reported to be from either Medina or Afif.
The emergency panel, which has met seven times, timed its announcement to coincide with the pilgrimage, known as the hajj, which draws up to three million Muslims each year. It called on the Saudis to increase pilgrims’ awareness of the disease.The emergency panel, which has met seven times, timed its announcement to coincide with the pilgrimage, known as the hajj, which draws up to three million Muslims each year. It called on the Saudis to increase pilgrims’ awareness of the disease.
The virus is believed to be widespread in camels. It can jump from person to person, but such cases are rare outside hospitals and dialysis centers.The virus is believed to be widespread in camels. It can jump from person to person, but such cases are rare outside hospitals and dialysis centers.
Some scientists say that cases surge after camels give birth in late winter, creating a new crop of young, susceptible animals, who then infect a few humans. Most transmission last spring was tied to poor infection control in hospitals, and the outbreak led to tighter hospital regulations.Some scientists say that cases surge after camels give birth in late winter, creating a new crop of young, susceptible animals, who then infect a few humans. Most transmission last spring was tied to poor infection control in hospitals, and the outbreak led to tighter hospital regulations.
A few small clusters have occurred since then in hospitals, “but not the big numbers that were reported in the spring,” said Dr. Susan I. Gerber, team leader for respiratory viruses in the viral disease division of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.A few small clusters have occurred since then in hospitals, “but not the big numbers that were reported in the spring,” said Dr. Susan I. Gerber, team leader for respiratory viruses in the viral disease division of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Anyone traveling to the area should still avoid contact with camels — especially sick ones — and with products like raw milk or undercooked meat, Dr. Gerber said. People with diabetes, kidney failure or compromised immune systems should be especially careful.Anyone traveling to the area should still avoid contact with camels — especially sick ones — and with products like raw milk or undercooked meat, Dr. Gerber said. People with diabetes, kidney failure or compromised immune systems should be especially careful.
“It’s hard to say exactly what the risk is, but MERS hasn’t disappeared,” she warned.“It’s hard to say exactly what the risk is, but MERS hasn’t disappeared,” she warned.