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Friday, May 31, 2013

CDC SAYS NO TRAVEL WORRIES

I GUESS WE HAVE TO SEE 10 OR 20 CASES  IN THE UNITED STATES, BEFORE THEY CARE TO EMPLEMENT TIGHTER TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS TO AN AREA THAT IS FLUSH WITH  your NEW PANDEMIC THREAT...
How much longer will it be before the WHO decides to raise the alert level?
ARE OUT SOLDIERS BEEING SCREENED FOR IT? Whoops sorry, forget that you have 1000,s of them in SA!

CDC does not recommend that anyone change their travel plans because of these cases of MERS. \CDC recommends that US travelers to countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula* monitor their health and see a doctor right away if they develop fever and symptoms of lower respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath. They should tell the doctor about their recent travel....

updated  May 29, 2013  http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/coronavirus-arabian-peninsula

MERS Coronavirus: Worry Grows over 'Superspreaders'

Friday, 31 May 2013 2:10PM
iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- The MERS coronavirus has yet to surface in the United States, but experts say it’s “only a plane ride away.”
“It would be easy for this to be imported to this country,” said Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “CDC works 24/7 to track infections around the world because we are all connected by the air we breathe.”

Frieden said he’s particularly worried about “superspreaders” -- people who can pass viruses more readily than others. The 2003 SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak was driven by a small group of superspreaders, including the initial case in Hong Kong, and a couple who travelled to Toronto.

SARS sickened more than 8,000 people, killing 774 of them. The virus vanished in 2004, probably because non-superspreaders proved very ineffective at spreading the disease.

So far, at least 50 people have contracted MERS -- the Middle East respiratory syndrome -- and at least 30 of them have died. And while the virus seems to be spreading more slowly than SARS, there’s still the potential for superspreaders to ramp up the numbers.

“It’s only in the past month or two that it’s begun to look a lot more like SARS, and that’s why we’re more concerned now,” said Frieden, adding that Americans who have traveled to the Middle East should tell their doctors if they develop flu-like symptoms so they can be isolated and treated.

“Our job is to worry about things that might harm Americans so that Americans don’t have to worry themselves,” he said. “What we’re doing is working 24/7 to track it, to figure out where it is, how it’s spreading and how to make sure that we can stop it.”  http://www.kmbz.com/MERS-Coronavirus-Worry-Grows-over-Superspreaders-/16486188

Saudis investigating possible second hospital outbreak of MERS coronavirus cases

 

Mortality Rate From Coronavirus Jumps To 60 Percent, Four More Deaths Confirmed

May 31, 2013

Five additional cases of coronavirus, initially named nCoV, has been confirmed in Saudi Arabia, according to the country’s Ministry of Health. The Ministry reported the new cases to the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday. Three of the patients have died, as well as a fourth patient — an 81-year-old woman — who was earlier reported to be infected with the virus.
All five new patients were from the eastern region of the country, but not from Al-Ahsa, where an April 2013 outbreak occurred in a healthcare facility. The Saudi government is now investigating the likely source of infection in both the healthcare and community settings, according to the WHO.
The Ministry said all five patients had underlying medical conditions which resulted in multiple hospitalizations.
The first patient, a 56-year-old man, became ill on May 12 and died on May 20. The second patient is an 85-year-old woman who became ill on May 17 and is currently listed in critical condition. The third patient was a 76-year-old woman who became ill on May 17 and was released from the hospital on May 27. The fourth patient was a 77-year-old man who became ill on May 19 and died on May 26. The fifth patient, a 73-year-old man, became ill on May 18 and died on May 26.
The new cases now bring the total number of infected persons to 50, according to the NY Daily News. The three latest deaths also bring the coronavirus-related death count to 30, increasing the mortality rate to 60 percent.
In a report released on May 28, the WHO issued recommendations for “enhanced surveillance and precautions for the testing and management of suspected cases.” It said it would also continue to work with international partners for as long as needed.
The novel coronavirus was redubbed on May 23 following a proposal by the Coronavirus Study Group of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). It recommended the virus be called the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
The WHO said it generally prefers that viruses are not named after regions or places from where they are initially detected in order to minimize unnecessary geographical discrimination that may be based on coincidental detection rather than a true area for emergence of the virus. The WHO said no group was convened to discuss the naming of the virus, but noted that the proposed name does represent a consensus that is acceptable to the organization, since it was “built on consultation with a large group of scientists.”
Although the WHO continues to work closely with countries and international partners, it currently is not advising special screenings pertaining to the virus and it has offered no recommendations on travel or trade restrictions. It said it will continue to closely monitor the situation.

But as experts continue to look into cases and deaths pertaining to MERS-CoV, it becomes clear that some level of precaution is needed to ensure the virus is contained. Health experts are calling on healthcare facilities to isolate patients who show signs and symptoms of MERS-CoV for at least 12 days to avoid spreading it to other patients and/or relatives.

French health officials recently reported the first death in their country of a man who became ill last month after visiting the Middle East; he spread the infection to a hospital patient who shared a room with him. That second man remains in serious condition, according to the French Health Ministry.
Experts are currently unsure how the first cases of the virus infected humans, but believe it came from animals such as bats, camels or goats. Since taking a stronghold, the virus has shown some level of transmissibility between humans, but health officials are stopping short of saying it is highly contagious until more information is on the table.
In a speech on Monday, WHO’s Director-General, Dr. Margaret Chan, said the MERS-CoV is currently the greatest concern for her organization, calling the ongoing crisis a “threat to the entire world.”
Maria Cheng of The Associated Press reported yesterday that French doctors have estimated the incubation period for the disease is between nine and 12 days, longer than an original estimate of between seven and 10 days, reported by other officials. This new estimation is why the experts are calling for longer quarantines, especially since those with underlying medical conditions are very susceptible from exposure to infected persons.
In a paper published in The Lancet, the French experts wrote that if the virus further evolves, it could become significantly more dangerous. Further mutations could mean the virus becomes “increasingly transmissible.”  http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1112861599/coronavirus-deaths-four-mortality-60-percent-053113/

Fauci: New virus not yet a 'threat to the world'

video..

 

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Beijing actively monitoring found a second case of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza

 28 May 2013 21:30:26May 28, 2013 morning, the Beijing Center for Disease Control reported that in Beijing large-scale conventional ILI pathogen monitoring, from the Peking University People's Hospital for treatment of influenza-like illness found in one case of human infection with the H7N9 avian influenza. At 16:00 on May 28th, Beijing clinical expert confirmed that the case.
Children Xu, male, 6 years old, Junan County, Linyi City, Shandong Province, household, now living in the Haidian District. May 21 children with fever and sore throat, headache, Peking University People's Hospital for treatment, family history of exposure to poultry denied, visiting doctors examination showed bilateral tonsil enlargement and purulent secretions III degree, given anti-inflammatory, symptomatic other treatment; May 22 to 24, patients in the hospital receiving daily infusion therapy; May 23 afternoon, the body temperature returned to normal, the symptoms disappeared; May 24 afternoon back to nursery reopened. Children in the treatment period, the Peking University People's Hospital, according to "national influenza surveillance program" collected specimens were sent to CDC centralized testing. According to urban levels of testing and retesting results, May 28 children attending human H7N9 avian influenza infection after being sent to the Beijing Ditan Hospital for further observation and treatment. Children currently in good health, have normal body temperature for 5 days. The case is the second in Beijing reported cases of human infection of H7N9 avian influenza confirmed cases.
In accordance with the National Health and Family Planning Commission issued the "human infection with H7N9 avian influenza prevention and control program (2nd Edition)" provides an initial verification of their close contact with 50 people, all the staff have all been implemented medical observation measures currently no abnormality symptoms...

http://news.xinhuanet.com/2013-05/28/c_115943529.htm

Drug resistance develops easily with new H7N9 bird flu, study warns

By Helen Branswell, The Canadian PressMay 28, 2013 8:39 AM

French coronapatient dies

HEALTH - It is a man of 65, the first patient detected ...
One of the two patients died coronavirus in France, announced on Tuesday the Ministry of Health told AFP. Contacted by 20 Minutes, the Directorate General of Health (DGS) said that the victim was the first patient detected - a man of 65 who traveled to Dubai. The second patient, aged forty years, is a man who shared the room the first from 27 to 29 April. According to medical sources, the state "remains stable but still very serious."

The Minister of Health Marisol Tourain, said on Tuesday that there is "no new situation in terms of the epidemic." In a statement, the University Hospital of Lille "deplores the death [...] the first patient coronavirus, hospitalized in the intensive care unit of the University Hospital Centre of Lille since May 9, 2013, following a multi-organ failure" . He was placed under extracorporeal support, "to take over his pulmonary function," the statement said.
Toubles digestive
Contaminated man in France was presented April 23 at the hospital Valenciennes (North), where he was followed for a chronic disease, and then had digestive problems, which explains why it has not been isolated . Contamination by the new coronavirus was confirmed on May 7
Both patients were hospitalized at the University Hospital of Lille.
http://www.20minutes.fr/societe/1163389-20130528-deux-patients-atteints-coronavirus-france-decede

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Alabama Mystery Sickness Solved??.. Hospitals Still Taking Precautions

Video.
..The Alabama Health Officer said Thursday there appears to be no link between several recent cases of illness that left two people dead. Five others were hospitalized with flu-type symptoms. He said tests show the illnesses were combination of influenza A, rhinovirus, the virus associated with the common cold, and bacterial pneumonia. http://dothanfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=274362



Video
By: Jamiese Price
Updated: May 23, 2013
The Alabama Health Officer said Thursday there appears to be no link between several recent cases of illness that left two people dead. While we now know the cases are not related, it hasn't stopped people from showing up to Southeast Alabama Medical Center.

Emergency Room Physician Jason Deleon said, "People who are experiencing shortness of breath, running a fever ,and coughing are treated as they would a flu patient." Deleon said its one thing that separates this illness from the common cold. "Typically patients with a common cold don't actually experience shortness of breath and that's what differentiates this from common cold symptom that you would potentially have during this time of year."
Doctors are still being asked to send lab work back to the state. They're also running chest X-Rays looking for anything on the patients lungs. They've even been asked to run one specific flu test.
"We're asked to administer a flu PSR is a nasal swab that gets sent off to a lab and gets typed for a specific kind of virus," explained Deleon.

He said the only way to stop the spread of the virus is by practicing a few safety measures. "Right now the CDC and the State Department of Health recommends standard practice which is what we typically do during flu season. We also recommend hand-washing and Purell are good options. We also that people make sure they cover their mouths when they're coughing."  http://dothanfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=274372

CDC Travel update Novel (New) Coronavirus in the Arabian Peninsula

Novel (New) Coronavirus in the Arabian Peninsula
Updated: May 24, 2013

What Is the Current Situation?

Cases of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus have been identified in multiple countries. For more information, see CDC’s novel coronavirus update.
CDC does not recommend that anyone change their travel plans because of these cases of the novel coronavirus. CDC recommends that US travelers to countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula* monitor their health and see a doctor right away if they develop fever and symptoms of lower respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath. They should tell the doctor about their recent travel.  more..
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/coronavirus-saudi-arabia-qatar

Friday, May 24, 2013

North Korea's Bird Flu Outbreak Alert

  • 22. May 2013, 11:40:22 SGT
  • North Korea's Bird Flu Outbreak Alert

    North Korea destroyed hundreds of thousands of birds in an effort to prevent the spread of bird flu virus variant that was found on a farm in Pyongyang, state media said.

    The country's food supply is now in a vulnerable condition.


    EPA
    Chicken slaughterhouse in place. North Korea in order to protect from confined poultry outbreaks of avian influenza.

    North Korea's state news agency reported this week, the researchers found a flock of ducks in Duck Ranch tudan infected with the H5N1 virus from migratory birds. Approximately 164 thousand ducks have been turned off since the first case of infection was found in the last month, according to government reports to the World Organization for Animal Health.

    H5N1 is a variant of bird flu virus which has infected a number of species of birds in Asia, Europe and Africa since it was first discovered in Southeast Asia in 2003.

    The outbreak appears when millions of people in North Korea could potentially experiencing food shortages. The UN agency for food and agriculture, FAO, said food supplies are projected to crash this year, although last year's wheat harvest was stable, after imports and food aid in 2013 has decreased.

    Thousands of supervisory teams such outbreaks have spread throughout the country in order to "keep an eye on the movement of poultry and wild birds," the state-run news agency reported. However, experts say North Korea does not have adequate equipment to combat outbreaks associated with animals if it does not receive foreign aid.

    Kwon Tae-jin, director of the Korea Rural Economic Institute in Seoul said poultry farm in North Korea in general can not operate fully and are not able to provide antibiotics.

    Pyongyang is now confined to separate poultry with wild birds and their droppings. If this happens, it is likely that birds will be infected.

    In the past, North Korea ever making claims regarding the discovery of bird flu vaccines, including against H5N1, without detailing the process. Two weeks ago, North Korea said it had found the H7N9 vaccine, another deadly virus variants that sparked fears in China.  http://indo.wsj.com/posts/2013/05/22/korea-utara-siaga-wabah-flu-burung/

    North Korea pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 type)

    The 20th North pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 type), making sure that happens, "to prevent the spread of bird flu, is taking measures," he said.

    Day North Korea, "Central Veterinary Institute Academy of Agricultural Science, Veterinary Protection Station and associated units, including the test results in the last 7 days progress in Pyongyang put two ducks brought from the factory with the touch of migratory ducks and highly pathogenic avian influenza type H5N1 was found to have occurred "and made ​​myself KCNA reported.

    Korea Central News Agency, "The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Veterinary Organization and other related international organizations in relation to the disease situation and was informed materials" and "plant them EVER SINCE Pesaro 16 thousand ducks and strict isolation and quarantine and disinfection measures taken, "he said. After "more than 1360 nationwide number of persons coming within the dynamics of those watchtowers were placed poultry and wild birds are closely monitored by the state," he said.


    North Korea also "airfields and seaports, border stations in areas affected by avian influenza in persons, especially those who came to check for gum disease and poultry, raw materials, along with strengthening quarantine of poultry ryudong mountain was to limit the time being," said "chickens, ducks, pigeons, and to cultivate thoroughly shut, "he said. http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=201305202216511&code=910402

    Quang Ngai second outbreak of H5N1 avian flu outbreak


    (VOV) - Two flocks over 3,400 children were not vaccinated bird flu vaccine during 1/2013.
    Morning of 24/5, Veterinary force Tu Nghia district, Quang Ngai province destroyed 900 ducks 3-month-old son of Mrs. Dinh Thi Go, in rural northern Anhui 2, Nghia Ky, Tu Nghia district after results tested positive for influenza A H5N1 virus.
    Ms. Di said, to see sick and dying ducks continuously from 20/5, her family reported the local government to take measures to check processing.
    Earlier, an outbreak of bird flu has appeared in his household Phan Van Hong, Hoi An village in North 1, Nghia Ky, Tu Nghia district. 2,500 ducks, more than 2 months old his Red has been destroyed, lost $ 70 million.
    Mr. Phan Van Hong said, as prepared for sale should not dare vaccination, although local authorities have reported vaccination time ago.
    Immediately after an epidemic occurs, Tu Nghia District Veterinary Station in collaboration with local governments implement outbreak control; Organization for mandatory destruction of outbreak, disinfection spray in the environment poultry farms around services. However, the current situation in Denmark is very large duck, while many farmers still do not abide by the vaccination.
    "The time in April veterinary station conducting H5N1 vaccination. However, given time, there are no executive protection, not injected, while the duck flock is re-Forum, co-run, "said Huynh De, Veterinary staff Tu Nghia District, Quang Ngai Province said . /.  http://vov.vn/Xa-hoi/Quang-Ngai-bung-phat-2-o-dich-cum-gia-cam-H5N1/263331.vov

    Egypt took a lotta samples

    Dr Abdel Atty Abdel-Alim director of the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Ministry of Health said the Ministry of Health's preparations to face the corona virus continues. He said Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine for "Echo of the country" that the ministry is these procedures to meet bird Anfellonza virus , he said, adding that the ministry is four major measures to counter the corona virus and bird flu. He explained that he is currently the corona virus surveillance in 450 hospitals, in addition to 8 special centers respiratory disease , stressing that so far does not have any case of the disease in Egypt. He pointed out that the management ...
    Health: monitor corona virus in 450 hospital .. and we took samples from 2012 patients in hospitals and 284 of arrivals from abroad  http://www.el-balad.com/498973

    Kuwait:Yes, we have no corona

    ..New Undersecretary of Kuwaiti Ministry of Health, Dr. Khalid Al-Sahlawi emphasis on free Kuwait from the virus, "Corona," adding that Kuwait has not recorded any cases of "Coruna", assured citizens and residents that the health situation in the face of the virus reassuring, and to take the Ministry of Health of all actions and measures necessary. He announced Sahlawi, in a press statement that the ministry has formed a technical committee to combat the virus under his leadership will begin its first meeting next Sunday to determine the policies and mechanisms necessary to counter the virus and co-ordination of procedures for the technical to be followed by health regions, departments and agencies various technical specific diagnosis and treatment..

    http://www.el-balad.com/499632

    Saudi Arabia says corona is not in schools

    ..none they want to talk about anyway.

    Saudi Arabia confirms that the infiltration of the virus, "Corona" to schools final
    ASHA22-5-2013 | 14:34The Saudi government confirmed do not infiltrate virus (Corona) to schools in the Ahsa region or the eastern region where the virus was discovered and announced the 31 people injured so far, 16 people have died, the rest have been placed under a private health care.
    The Board of Education in the Eastern Province Saudi Arabia, in a statement published on Wednesday, he did not register cases in schools praise of God, and the Ministry of Health in constant contact with consulting firms, and has been revised procedures in force in the kingdom, which has been described as very appropriate, noting that Experts recommend not to impose restrictions on schools...

    http://gate.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/13/71/349896/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D9%88%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%A4%D9%83%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%84-%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3-%D9%83%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A7-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B3-%D9%86%D9%87.aspx

    WHO voices deep concern over spread of SARS-like virus


    The World Health Organization voiced deep concern Thursday over the SARS-like virus that has killed 22 people in less than a year, saying it might potentially spread more widely between humans.
    "We have a high level of concern over the potential... for this virus to have sustainable person-to-person spread," WHO deputy chief Keiji Fukuda told diplomats gathered in Geneva for the , the UN agency's decision-making body.
    There has already been evidence of limited transmission between humans, and last week the WHO said two Saudi health workers had contracted the deadly coronavirus from patients—the first evidence of transmission in a hospital setting.
    But Fukuda said the WHO was looking into "whether this has the potential to have a more extensive spread, more extensive transmission."
    Given the high relative to the number of cases, experts have highlighted the power of the virus and the frightening prospect of its mutating into a form that leaps easily from human to human.
    Fukuda's comments came after Saudi Arabia on Wednesday said another person had died from the virus. With a total death toll of 17, it has been the hardest hit by the disease that first emerged last June.
    So far, there have been 44 lab-confirmed cases worldwide, half of them fatal, with 30 infections in Saudi Arabia and the rest spread across Jordan, Qatar, Tunisia, the , Germany, Britain and France.
    Most of the patients infected in Europe and Tunisia had links to or had travelled in the Middle East.
    The WHO said Thursday the virus, which until now has been known as the novel coronavirus, or nCoV-EMC, had been redubbed the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS CoV)...http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-voices-deep-sars-like-virus.html

    WHO warns countries not to hoard secrets of coronavirus



    GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization (WHO) warned countries with possible cases of the SARS-like novel coronavirus on Thursday that they must share information and not allow commercial labs to profit from the virus, which has killed 22 ...  which has killed 22 people worldwide. Saudi Arabia, where the first case occurred, has said the development of diagnostic tests for the disease has been delayed by a foreign laboratory's patent rights on the SARS-like virus. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-05-23/lifestyle/sns-rt-us-coronavirus-whobre94m0zl-20130523_1_sars-like-virus-erasmus-medical-center-first-case

    Wednesday, May 22, 2013

    Fatal MERS-CoV Confirmed In Tunisia ex-KSA/Qatar

    Recombinomics Commentary 18:15
    May 20, 2013
    according to a statement from the Ministry of Health published in the day Monday, May 20, 2013. The victim of this virus is a 66 year old man who died at the hospital Fatuma Bourguiba in Monastir, after his trip to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
    The above translation describes a confirmed MERS-CoV fatality (66M) in Tunisia (see map) who developed symptoms after travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Qatar. Additional reports cite coronavirus confirmation in one or two sons, although it is unclear if these cases are also in Tunisia or the Middle East.

    Although confirmed onward transmission in Tunisia is unclear, the export of MERS-CoV from Saudi Arabia or Qatar represents the third confirmed example of spread via commercial airline. The earlier SARS-like clusters in England and France involved onward transmission, raising concerns that MERS-CoV is far more common in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa than the reported confirmed cases.More information on this cluster, including age, gender, disease onset dates and locations would be useful.

    MERS-CoV Fatal Infections In Children In Eastern KSA???

    MERS-CoV Fatal Infections In Children In Eastern KSARecombinomics Commentary 23:00
    May 16, 2013

    Which reduced the time the Minister of Health of Corona virus turned into an epidemic, died yesterday of a child infected with the virus (10 years) at Qatif Central Hospital, bringing the death toll to 16 people.
    Sources in the hospital for medical "home" has been receiving two cases riddled with the virus after their transfer from a hospital in Al-Ahsa. The sources pointed out that the baby died after his health deteriorated, result satisfactory complications due to the virus, while the other injured were transported to a hospital isolation room.
    In the meantime, the Ministry of Health announced yesterday for the registration of two cases confirmed in the eastern region of the health practitioners;
    The above translation describes the death of a 10 year old in Qatif (see map) who transferred to the central hospital from Al-Ahsa. The description strong suggests that the death was due to MERS-CoV, but the case has not been cited at the KSA MoH website of the WHO coronavirus website. This death follows the death of a 9 year old girl who was initially described on May 5. The case was cited at a press conference that described nCoV cases and two cases (9M and 21M) were detailed. Earlier reports had indicated 5 classmates of the fatal case (9F) had been hospitalized with SARS-like symptoms, but non-disclosure agreement was required, raising serious transparency issues. Two other fatal cases (10 and 11 year olds) had also been described, as had the death of an eighteen year old.

    However, none of the cases have been reported as confirmed MERS-CoV cases even though some trace back to last month, and some are associated with school closings.

    Recent media reports also noted that 560 suspect cases had been tested in May and 30 recent cases were still being reviewed. Moreover, the two MERS-CoV confirmed health care practitioners have been described as Aramco technicians running MERS-CoV PCR tests in Dhahran (see map), although some reports say they were doctor and nurse who were exposed to infected patients.

    The large number of confirmed and suspect cases raise concerns that the reporting of the younger cases is being delayed or withheld due to concerns of alarm or false negatives, which are common especially if testing is not done on samples from the lower respiratory tract.

    More detail on reasons why the fatal cases have not been reported would be useful.

    Moreover, the absence of any confirmed cases following the six cases reported two days ago raises additional transparency concerns.

    Canadian expert says Saudi coronavirus outbreak 'complex' but report pending

    .But cant tell you anything new...

    Novel coronavirus infection - update

    The Ministry of Health in Tunisia has notified WHO of two laboratory-confirmed cases and a probable case of infection with the novel coronavirus (nCoV).

    The two laboratory confirmed cases are a 34-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman. They are siblings. Both of them had mild respiratory illness and did not require hospitalization. Retrospective investigation into the cases revealed that the probable case, their father, 66 year old, became ill three days after returning from a visit to Qatar and Saudi Arabia on 3 May 2013. He was admitted to a hospital after developing acute respiratory disease. His condition deteriorated and he died on 10 May 2013. He had an underlying health condition. Initial laboratory tests conducted on the probable case tested negative for nCoV.
    Further investigation into this outbreak is ongoing and close contacts of the family are being monitored for any unusual signs of illness. These are the first confirmed cases of infection with nCoV in Tunisia.
    In Saudi Arabia, a patient earlier reported as part of the ongoing investigation into an outbreak that began in a health care facility since the beginning of April 2013, has died. To date, a total of 22 patients including 10 deaths have been reported from this outbreak in the Eastern part of Saudi Arabia. The government is conducting an ongoing investigation into the outbreak.
    Globally, from September 2012 to date, WHO has been informed of a total of 43 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with nCoV, including 21 deaths. Several countries in the Middle East have been affected. They are Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Cases have also been reported by four additional countries: France, Germany, Tunisia and the United Kingdom. All of the cases have had a direct or indirect connection to the Middle East, including two cases with recent travel history from the UAE. In France and the United Kingdom, there has been limited local transmission among close contacts who had not been to the Middle East but had been in contact with a traveler who recently returned from the Middle East.
    Based on the current situation and available information, WHO encourages all Member States to continue their surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns.
    Health care providers are advised to maintain vigilance. Recent travelers returning from the Middle East who develop SARI should be tested for nCoV as advised in the current surveillance recommendations. Specimens from patients’ lower respiratory tracts should be obtained for diagnosis where possible. Clinicians are reminded that nCoV infection should be considered even with atypical signs and symptoms, such as diarrhoea, particularly in patients who are immunocompromised.
    Health care facilities are reminded of the importance of systematic implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC). Health care facilities that provide care for patients with suspected nCoV infection should take appropriate measures to decrease the risk of transmission of the virus to other patients, health care workers and visitors.
    All Member States are reminded to promptly assess and notify WHO of any new case of infection with nCoV, along with information about potential exposures that may have resulted in infection and a description of the clinical course. Investigation into the source of exposure should promptly be initiated to identify the mode of exposure, so that further transmission of the virus can be prevented.
    WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event nor does it currently recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions.
    WHO continues to closely monitor the situation.  http://www.who.int/csr/don/2013_05_22_ncov/en/index.html

    How much longer will they tell you this with a straight face?? How much longer before you realize the truth??
     

    Busy,Busy

    I see all is well with the new coronavirus. too bad they arent telling you everything.In the us and confirmed soon enuff. Why worry?.. you govt is keeping you abreast of the situation!

    Monday, May 13, 2013

    ministry, in Italy no case of' new Sars'



    To reassure the national situation the Ministry of Health, recalling that "Italy is already active in a network of surveillance of severe acute respiratory infections (Sari) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which involves the local offices of the Ministry and structures regional


      Shura» tomorrow discusses preventive measures to prevent the arrival of the virus 'Corona' epidemiological Egypt



      Provide Safwat Abdel Ghani Shura Council member, Chairman of the Parliamentary Party of construction and development urgent statement will be discussed on Tuesday in the presence of the Ministers of Health and Civil Aviation on disease "Corona" epidemic, so to take all measures to non-entry of the disease into Egypt, especially in light of spread of the Arab Gulf States .
      For his part, Khaled Shobokshi political activist in a statement today that "Corona" is a disease fatal moves in contact, which made the WHO raises alert and calls for extreme caution from respiratory infections serious caused by the virus similar to the SARS virus, which has since its inception to the injury of 30 people in different countries, recorded, including 18 deaths, indicating that the disease is found growing in the Arab Gulf States.

      Coronavirus: fear of the scenario of the epidemic



      13/05 | 6:39 p.m.

      Egyptian virologist who identified the new coronavirus, believes that the epidemic "happen." The virus "will gradually become more easily transmitted."

      The new coronavirus has killed at least 18 people, more than half of those infected.  - AFP
      The new coronavirus has killed at least 18 people, more than half of those infected. - AFP
      The Egyptian doctor who first identified the new coronavirus (NCoV) having infected at least 32 people in the Middle East and Europe, including two in France, a judge probable epidemic. Ali Mohamed Zaki think, however, that if this is the case, it will not remain coronavirus as virulent present. "Given the developments, it seems that it will gradually become more transmissible," said the Egyptian Virologist questioned Monday over the phone.
      However, it seemed that the relatively early discovery of this coronavirus allows the international community to be better prepared than during the SARS epidemic, which caused 775 deaths in 2003 after being spread throughout the world. In both cases, there is respiratory disease whose main symptoms are fever and cough.
      "Here, we have identified the virus before the outbreak occurs, and I think it will happen, and we have the tools to diagnose," said Ali Mohamed Zaki, who identified the virus in June 2012 in he treated a patient in a hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.The new coronavirus has killed at least 18 people, more than half of those infected.Ali Mohamed Zaki, who now has the Ain Shams University in Cairo, believes, however, that mortality rates drop to measure the spread of the coronavirus.
      The World Health Organization (WHO) considers it likely that transmission from human to human coronavirus but only after close and prolonged contact. In France, a man who shared the hospital room of a contaminated Valenciennes patient was also infected with the coronavirus .

      Oversight of the new coronavirus (NCoV) infections. Point to 13 May 2013.


      Published on 13/05/2013
      On 7 May 2013, the first case of acute respiratory infection with novel coronavirus (NCoV) was reported to InVS by the National Reference Center (NRC) for Influenza virus at the Pasteur Institute, which conducted the diagnostic virology . It was the first confirmed case in France.This patient was hospitalized due to a holiday in the UAE.
      This new virus was identified in Saudi Arabia in September 2012, in two patients who presented in June and September 2012 severe pneumonia and in some cases acute renal failure. Following this discovery, monitoring has been established under the coordination of the World Health Organization (WHO http://www.who.int/csr/disease/coronavirus_infections/en/ ) and the European Centre Prevention and Control (ECDC: http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/EN/HEALTHTOPICS/CORONAVIRUS-INFECTIONS/Pages/index.aspx ) to identify other possible cases.
      As of 13 May 2013, 34 cases of infection with the new coronavirus have been reported worldwide since April 2012, 20 have died. The vast majority of cases (n = 26) were identified in the Arabian Peninsula and 8 cases were identified in Europe: four in the UK, two in Germany and two in France. The first case was diagnosed French May 7, 2013 and the second May 12, 2013. To date, these two patients were hospitalized in the ICU and are still in a serious condition.
      Most of these patients have traveled to the Arabian Peninsula. In France, the first case stayed in the UAE but the second did not travel. It has against during his hospitalization, roommates French first case while it was already symptomatic but undiagnosed for NCoV. Also in the UK, two cases had not traveled in countries at risk. They had been in contact with one confirmed case, who had traveled to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
      These facts suggest the existence of human transmission of infection. One of the two cases in the UK has developed a mild form of the disease (flu-like syndrome), which may suggest that some symptomatic cases have escaped monitoring implementation. However, data collected to date do not indicate a significant human to human transmission of this new virus in the community.
      France has implemented since 1 st October 2012 coordinated by the Institut de Veille Sanitaire surveillance has received 53 reports about suspected infection NCoV: only two have been confirmed by the NRC.
      Following the diagnosis of the first French case, an initial investigation has identified contacts of this patient: 127 people (including 116 health professionals) were contacted. Of these, 6 were symptomatic and were tested: one (a patient who had shared the room the first case) was positive. In addition, a second investigation was conducted with people who have done the same tour the United Arab Emirates as the first case, to look for other cases and investigate the circumstances of the first case of contamination: 37 people were identified and 32 were contacted to date. The respondents have no signs of infection.
      A third investigation was implemented to identify the contacts of the second case: 39 people were interviewed on May 12 on their health.They received information about the corona, as well as advice on what to do if they experience symptoms of infection. They have a daily monitoring until May 18, 10 days after contact with the second case.
      The virus of the coronavirus family are many and varied. They can infect humans and animals. In humans, symptoms are variable.Coronaviruses can cause mild respiratory infections and other severe respiratory infections. The new coronavirus identified in September 2012 is relatively close to the human SARS coronavirus, identified in 2003, which caused a global epidemic. NCoV infection manifested by fever and respiratory symptoms may be complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, a case with a mild form of the disease (flu syndrome) has been described in England. The incubation period is currently estimated at 10 days.
      The situation is being closely monitored by the WHO and ECDC. Investigations are underway in countries with reported cases to deepen knowledge about the virus. According to WHO and ECDC, based on currently available information, this new virus does not seem to spread easily from human to human, unlike the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) virus. The origin of the contamination of confirmed cases remains unknown at the present state of knowledge.
      In France, the High Council of Public Health published March 19 a document detailing the management of patients with suspected infections with novel coronavirus ( http://www.hcsp.fr/explore.cgi/avisrapportsdomaine?clefr = 314 ).
      This information is subject to change depending on the occurrence of new cases and investigations continue to be conducted with confirmed cases and their contacts.