WHO Press Statement Related to the Novel Coronavirus Situation

12 May 2013

The emergence of this new coronavirus is globally recognized as an important and major challenge for all of the countries which have been affected as well as the rest of the world. The Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has recognized this and invited the World Health Organization (WHO) to help them assess the situation and to provide guidance and recommendations. WHO is pleased to be here to work together with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

At this time there are some things about this new disease we understand. However I would like to remind everyone that this is a new infection and there are also many gaps in our knowledge that will inevitably take time to fill in.

We know that the disease is caused by a virus from a group called coronaviruses. One member of the coronavirus family is the SARs virus. This new virus is NOT the SARS virus. They are distinct from each other. However, the fact that they are related has added to the world’s concern. We know this virus has infected people since 2012, but we don’t know where this virus lives. We know that when people get infected, many of them develop severe pneumonia. What we don’t know is how often people might develop mild disease. We also know that most of the persons who have been infected so far have been older men, often with other medical conditions. We are not sure why we are seeing this pattern and if it will change over time.

There are many other things that we don’t understand. For example, how are people getting infected? Is it from animals? Is it from contaminated surfaces? Is it from other people? Finally, we don’t know how widespread is this virus, both in this region and in other countries.

The greatest global concern, however, is about the potential for this new virus to spread. This is partly because the virus has already caused severe disease in multiple countries, although in small numbers, and has persisted in the region since 2012. Of most concern, however, is the fact that the different clusters seen in multiple countries increasingly support the hypothesis that when there is close contact this novel coronavirus can transmit from person-to-person. This pattern of person-to- person transmission has remained limited to some small clusters and so far, there is no evidence that this virus has the capacity to sustain generalized transmission in communities.

At this point, several urgent actions are needed. The most important ones are the need for countries, both inside and outside of the region, to increase their levels of awareness among all people but especially among staff working in their health systems and to increase their levels of surveillance about this new infection. In Saudi Arabia, we have seen the importance of better surveillance. When new cases are found, as is likely, it is critical for countries to report these cases and related information urgently to WHO as required by the International Health Regulations because this is the basis for effective international alertness, preparedness and response. Countries also need to assess their level of preparedness and readiness if this virus should spread and to intensify strengthening the core capacities identified in the International Health Regulations if they are not adequate. WHO is ready to assist countries in this region and globaly in these tasks.

There are also some questions that urgently need to be answered including how are people are getting infected, and what are the main risk factors for either infection or development of severe disease. The answers to these questions hold the keys to preventing infection.

In closing, we want to note that the Government of Saudi Arabia has taken the novel coronavirus situation very seriously. The Ministry of Health has initiated crucial public health actions -- including intensifying surveillance, initiating investigations and important research and putting control measures in place.

One of the reasons why more cases have been identified in KSA may be because they have gone ahead to strengthen their surveillance system and lab capacities and network.

For more information contact

Gregory Härtl
WHO Media Coordinator
Department of Communications
WHO, Geneva
Mobile: +41 79 203 6715
E-mail: hartlg@who.int  http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2013/Novel_Coronavirus_12052013/en/index.html

201 people under surveillance

Health Two patients identified, their entourage followed closely. Coronavirus: 201 people under surveillance

104 viewsPosted 12/05/2013 at 22:52

Identified by the Institut de Veille Sanitaire, potential patients were contacted. The Minister Marisol Touraine, said that we should not "cause concern".

Minister Marisol Touraine said yesterday at a press conference that he was not to alarm the population. Photo AFP

All persons who have been in contact with the two patients with the new coronavirus are subject to "close supervision of health authorities." That, in essence, what was stated yesterday during a press conference, Marisol Touraine.

Three investigations

However, the Minister of Health wanted to reassure: "Professionals, doctors consider that there is no need to be overly concerned."

In fact, 201 people were identified by the Institute of Health: 124 people in contact with the first patient, 38 people in contact with the second, mainly around her, and 39 people who participated in the trip to Dubai in which the first patient has been achieved. They are French or Belgian. Thus, three surveys are being conducted ... The Executive Director of the Institute of Health, Françoise Weber, said he was recommended to follow all hygiene measures and wear a mask if they experience flu-like symptoms . 38 people in prolonged contact with the second patient even been instructed to stay at home.

However, the minister assured the "total mobilization of public authorities." But "there is no alarm, to cause concern," she concluded. François Bricaire, Head of Infectious Diseases at the Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, agreed in its meaning: "We must be vigilant, but not more, and we should not be worried about it." But he still said: "Even if it's for people, something severe, with no significant mortality." Indeed, in 34 cases in the world reported coronavirus World Health Organization, 18 died, including 15 in Saudi Arabia. Professor of Parasitology at the Cochin Hospital, Patrice Bourée slice: "It is still known for almost eight months and it was so bad as that, there would be more deaths. [...] We can not consider that today it is a virus that will spread very quickly and will reach many people, otherwise it would already be done.
"http://www.leprogres.fr/sante/2013/05/12/coronavirus-201-personnes-sous-surveillance

Coronavirus: the government wants to reassure

this story don't tell you ,dude went home for 9 days after becoming infected at the hospital.

Created 12-05-2013 7:41 p.m.

http://www.metrofrance.com/info/coronavirus-le-gouvernement-veut-rassurer/mmel!ccmoolSN4TN4g/

Marisol Touraine called for calm. Photo: Baziz CHIBANE / SIPA

VIRUS - The health status of the second infected with coronavirus in France patient worsened Sunday. The Minister of Health assured that health authorities were "a very vigilant" while warning that should not fall prey to "excessive worry".

Coronavirus: the second patient went home for nine days before tested(VIDEO)

The second positive case went home for nine days after leaving the hospital Valenciennes on April 30, so he rubbed a lot of people around him before he came to CHR Lille. ..This was given in the early evening Dr. Guery , forcing InVS investigate circle of acquaintances who shared the room of the first infected patient 27 to 29 April. The second patient was discharged the next day, April 30, so he spent nine days at home . Nine days "in nature."

For now, InVS spotted 38 people around him . Among this group, there are "a few very close and prolonged close contact" with the second patient, whose health authorities have recommended to stay at home. The director of the institute, Françoise Weber, said that they were recommended to follow hygiene measures and wear a mask if they experience flu symptoms. These 38 people will be contacted every day to see if they report symptoms...  

http://www.lavoixdunord.fr/region/coronavirus-le-deuxieme-malade-a-passe-neuf-jours-ia0b0n1244775

Coronavirus: the state of the second patient worsens

12-05-2013 5:45 p.m.

HEALTH - The health status of the second patient infected with coronavirus worsened Sunday. He had been contaminated after roommates first patient diagnosed, confirming the possible transmission of the virus between humans.

The second French ill affected by the new coronavirus has seen his health worsen Sunday. It had to be transferred to intensive care at mid-day, announced the Regional University Hospital Centre of Lille (CHU). The patient has more difficulty breathing because "its oxygen requirements have worsened," he told AFP a spokesman for the University Hospital, noting that he was not at this stage under respiratory assistance, the inverse of the first patient. A clinical assessment will be conducted on arrival in the ICU.

He is also the subject of an antibiotic administered "fairly aggressive", according to Professor Benoit Guery, the Infectious Diseases department of the hospital. The patient shared room for 4 days the first carrier of the virus detected in France , a man who traveled to Dubai, while respiratory disease had not yet been detected.... http://www.metrofrance.com/info/coronavirus-le-deuxieme-malade-transfere-en-reanimation/mmel!OL2Aw5kj3tIHU/

162 people under surveillance

Relatives of two patients under surveillance coronavirus

Created on 12/05/2013

This represents at least 162 people ...

People who have been in contact with the two patients with the novel coronavirus are subject to close monitoring by health authorities, Marisol Touraine said Sunday at a press conference at the headquarters of the Institute of Health Surveillance ( VS) in Saint-Maurice, near Paris. But "professionals, doctors consider that there is no need to have a concern Excessiv e, she added.

"Three investigations are being conducted by InVS on persons associated with the first patient, the second victim to Lille and also people who participated in the tour in the Arabian Peninsula in which the first patient was achieved, "she said.

Hygiene measures

124 people in contact with the first patient were identified and contacted, said the minister. This component of the investigations conducted by InVS is "basically completed," said the Director General of the Institute, Françoise Weber. For the second positive cases, 38 people, "mostly around her," have been identified and subsequently contacted by InVS. Ms. Weber said that they were recommended to follow hygiene measures and wear a mask if they experience flu symptoms. These 38 people will be contacted every day to see if they report symptoms.

Any contact with animals?

Among this group, there are "a few very close and prolonged close contact" with the second patient, whose health authorities have recommended to stay at home. In addition, 39 persons of French or Belgian nationality who participated from 9 to 17 April trip to the United Arab Emirates attended by the first patient were contacted and also monitored from the InVs . There is no particular concern among this group, because none expressed symptoms nCoV. Given the incubation period, they should already have symptoms if they were infected, said Dr. Weber.

InVS also conducting an investigation with the help of this group of travelers to know when the first French patient has been in contact with animals carrying the nCoV. It is believed that the reservoir of the virus - diagnosed in 34 people worldwide, including more than half died - is in animals, Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries. One hypothesis is that it would come to bat.

 French video http://www.20minutes.fr/societe/1153479-20130512-proches-deux-malades-coronavirus-sous-surveillance

Recurrence of avian influenza in the province of Vinh Long

 
(VOH) - Veterinary Department have confirmed avian influenza in Vinh Long province.

From the beginning of the month 5/2013 to date, appeared avian flu in 03 farms in the province of Vung Liem District, Binh Tan and Vinh Long city.

Local organizations have destroyed entire herds infected poultry, with a total of 2,500.

Functional forces disinfectant spray pens - Photo: SGGP.

In addition, the country now, PRRS occurred in 04 provinces of Ha Tinh, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh and Bac Ninh province and no longer have foot and mouth disease. http://www.voh.com.vn/News/NewsDetail.aspx?id=58657

MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV Similarities Raise ConcernsRecombinomics Commentary 13:30
May 12, 2013

The second case is affected by the coronavirus man who shared the patient's room for four days at Valenciennes, while respiratory disease had not yet been detected. For this patient and new case, which is currently hospitalized and isolated Infectious Diseases Service at the University Hospital of Lille, "the positive results have just been confirmed."
 
The above translation describes the nosocomial MERS-CoV cluster in France (see map) and highlights epidemiological similarities between MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV transmissions in 2003.  These similarities were evident in the earliest confirmed cluster, which was over a year ago in Jordan (see map).  The confirmed was made seven months after the fact and was limited to the two fatal cases, but the clustering of cases in a hospital ICU as well as subsequent transmission to family members, was strikingly similar to SARS-CoV clusters, and the initial cases were described as SARS-like.  However, initial testing was negative for coronaviruses because MERS-CoV had not been identified prior to the outbreak, and detail on the cases (age, gender, disease onset dates) has been withheld.
Although WHO did use an epidemiological study to conclude that the symptomatic cases were probable MERS-CoV cases, the number of probable cases was not cited until recently.  That update did note that two of the family members had mild symptoms and noted that there have been multiple clusters, including two family members of two recent cases in eastern Saudi Arabia.  That outbreak appears to be linked to contaminated dialysis equipment, but the confirmation of MERS-CoV in contacts supports additional human to human (H2H) transmission.  

H2H transmission was also strongly supported by the cluster in England(see map), which like the cluster in France involved infections in the Middle East which was transported to Europe by commercial airline, followed by onward transmission.  However, the cluster in England highlighted assay failures on tests of upper respiratory tract samples.  A mild case (30F) was MERS-CoV confirmed vai a PCR test of a sputum sample but the PCR test of a nasopharyngeal swab was negative for MERS-CoV, but positive for type 2 para-influenza virus (HPIV-2), which was also found in a fatal case involving the son (38M) of the index case.  The two contacts did not have contact with each other and disease onset dates were one day apart, suggesting they were infected by a common source,  However, the index case was co-infected with H1H1pdm09, which was not detected in either family members and the sister had limited contact with the index case, suggesting both cases positive for HPIV-2 and MERS-CoV were infected by another family, which was likely the daughter of the index case, who also traveled to Saudi Arabia, but was negative for MERS-CoV.  However, testing almost certainly involved a nasopharyngeal swab collected after the contact had recovered.

False negatives in upper respiratory tract samples sub-optimally collected are common and apply to the negative results for the health care workers, who were briefly hospitalized and release when they tested negative.  Similarly, the symptomatic family member was not hospitalized and also released after testing negative.
Although the number of clusters has been high (additional confirmed clusters have also been seen in earlier cases in Saudi Arabia), the false negatives have been used to claim that the cases are “sporadic” and not transmitted in a sustained manner.  However, the number of symptomatic cases in eastern Saudi Arabia has been high, and many cases, including multiple pediatric cases, have not been reported as confirmed cases (see map), raising concerns that the reported cases represent a significant undercount.
The increasing similarities between SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV raise serious pandemic concerns, and more information on the prior cases inJeddah and current cases in eastern Saudi Arabia (see map) and adjacent countries (Bahrain, Qatar, UAE), which have yet to report a single cases diagnosed locally, increases pandemic concerns. 

Novel coronavirus: Presentation of national system of epidemiological investigation

May 12, 2013

Marisol Touraine, Minister of Social Affairs and Health, visited the Institute of Health Surveillance this Sunday, May 12, after the confirmation of a second infection with the new coronavirus (NCoV) in France. After consulting with the teams of epidemiologists mobilized to identify people who have been in contact with the second patient, she detailed the national system of epidemiological investigation established.

3 epidemiological investigations are being conducted in parallel by the health authorities:

• For the first 124 people who had contact with the first patient during his hospital stays. They have all been contacted and it is this research that has identified the second patient;

• the second focuses on the 39 people who participated in April the same tour the United Arab Emirates as the first patient;

• the third concerns the 38 people who were in contact with the second patient prior to hospitalization in isolation, May 9 at Lille. Individualized advice will be issued to them.

"These measures are designed to have the most accurate description of the situation day by day, to inform all concerned, to provide them with hygiene common sense to take care of without time if necessary. " "Nothing is left to chance," said Marisol Touraine.

Moreover, the minister recalled that information (posters and leaflets) to the travelers to the Near or Middle East device was introduced Saturday, May 11 in French airports.

The toll of information to the public is available Monday to Saturday from 9h to 19h (0800 13 00 00). The phone platform also remained exceptionally open this Sunday, May 12 to 20h. http://www.social-sante.gouv.fr/actualite-presse,42/communiques,2322/nouveau-coronavirus-presentation,15823.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

A PREVENTION AT AIRPORTS

...

34 confirmed cases in the world have occurred since last September, and 18 people died, including 11 in Saudi Arabia, a country where the World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to send a mission.

The health minister, Marisol Touraine, has meanwhile announced a prevention in airports, for travelers bound for the Arabian Peninsula.Information recommending several precautions, such as washing hands frequently and avoid contact with animals. http://www.la-croix.com/Actualite/France/La-transmission-du-coronavirus-suscite-l-inquietude-2013-05-12-958971?

Saudi Arabia: invite experts from Columbia University to clear the virus Coruna

Sunday, May 12 : Last Update

from Columbia University to participate in the survey and environmental field around the corona virus.

---

Riyadh: The Minister of Health, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabiah all record CZK cases in each of Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam in addition to Hasa, stressing that the ministry suspected 3 Koruna virus cases, where it will be the announcement of the results of the analysis with full transparency.

Said Dr. Rabiah at a press conference on Sunday in response to a question: "There is no reason to work misgivings in schools because most of the cases that have been recorded are for males men and adults, and that the WHO did not recommend it," he said, adding that health will work according to the precautions and internationally recognized procedures, even if a new update in this aspect we will work on it.

And invited experts from Columbia University to participate in the field survey and environmental access to scientific results contribute to the prevention of this disease, indicating that the ministry has invited experts from Canada, America and the World Health Organization for all the actions carried out by the Ministry of Health, including visiting hospitals and patients and access to their files and communicate with health workers in all professional. The injury Pkorona in high temperature and cough followed by severe pneumonia affecting both lungs, and the diagnosis is made ​​by taking a sample of the fluid stream respiratory system, and found that most of the cases have chronic diseases lead to immunocompromised patient.

For its part, the World Health Organization praised the efforts of scientific research and surveys carried out by the Ministry of Health in the Kingdom to meet the corona virus and access to the results to protect the Saudi society and the international community as a whole.

Dr Keiji Fukuda, Assistant Director-General for Health Security and Environment "did not come to inspect the measures taken by the Kingdom of our confidence in the accuracy of its procedures and its commitment to the safety of its citizens, but we came to see what was in general." Noting that the discovery of the disease in the Kingdom does not mean that his presence in other countries, but that it shows the high potential to the Kingdom in the examination and epidemiological investigation applied by the Kingdom of the highest standards.

- See more at: http://www.elaph.com/Web/news/2013/5/811488.html?entry=gulf#sthash.ogVWF4T2.dpuf

Coronavirus: people in contact with the monitored patients

12-05-2013

This is what announces the Minister of Health, Marisol Touraine, however, saying it should not "cause concern".

All the people who had contact with the two patients with the new coronavirus are subject to close monitoring by health authorities said Sunday, May 12 Marisol Touraine , but felt that we should not "raise the concern. "

"We have two cases, two patients, we make sure to have contact with all the people who have approached (...) we are very vigilant," said the Minister of Health during a press conference .

But "professionals, doctors consider that there is no need to be overly concerned," she added.

Three surveys

"Three investigations are being conducted by the Institute of Health of the people of the environment of the first patient, the second victim to Lille and also people who participated in the tour in the Arabian Peninsula in which the first patient has been achieved, "she said.

124 people in contact with the first patient were identified and contacted, said the minister.

For the second positive cases, 38 people, "mostly around him," have already been identified and contacted by the Institute of Health Surveillance (VS).

Wear a mask if you have flu-like symptoms

Its general director Françoise Weber said that they were recommended to follow hygiene measures and wear a mask if they experience flu-like symptoms.

These 38 people are contacted every day to see if they have symptoms.  Among this group, there are "a few very close and prolonged close contact" with the second patient, whose health authorities have recommended to stay at home.

In addition, 39 persons of French or Belgian nationality who participated from 9 to 17 April trip attended by the first patient has been contacted and are monitored by the InVs.

The Minister assured the "total mobilization of the government." But "there is no alarm, to cause concern," she said. http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/societe/20130512.OBS8766/coronavirus-les-personnes-en-contact-avec-les-malades-surveillees.html

Novel coronavirus infection - update

12/05/2013 The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in France has informed WHO of an additional laboratory-confirmed case with infection of the novel coronavirus (NCoV). This patient was identified as part of the epidemiological investigation initiated by the French authorities, following laboratory confirmation of the first case on 7 May 2013. The patient shared a hospital room in Valenciennes with the first laboratory-confirmed patient from 27 to 29 April 2013. The patient is currently hospitalized and isolated in an infectious disease hospital. Among 120 persons identified as contacts of the first laboratory-confirmed case in France, laboratory tests were conducted by Pasteur Institute in Paris on five suspected cases, of which four tested negative, one (mentioned above) tested positive. In Saudi Arabia, an investigation is ongoing into an outbreak in a health care facility, where 15 patients, including seven deaths have been confirmed. From September 2012 to date, WHO has been informed of a global total of 34 laboratory confirmed cases of human infection with nCoV, including 18 deaths. 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 be vigilant among recent travelers returning from areas affected by the virus who develop severe SARI. 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 in patients who are significantly immune compromised. 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. 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.

Rumors, grief and questions: A virus ravages a Saudi family

By Angus McDowall

HOFUF, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - On the third day after his father's death from a respiratory infection, Hussein al-Sheikh began to feel feverish.

Shortly afterwards, says the 27-year-old Saudi, "I was almost dead".

Hussein, who had often visited his father's bedside in his last days, was admitted to intensive carein a hospital in Dhahran, in the Eastern Province oil heartland of Saudi Arabia.

Then his brother, Abdullah, and later his sister, Hanan, fell ill, obtaining treatment in hospitals in the nearby oasis district of al-Ahsa.

Their father Mohammed, it has since emerged, was probably a victim of what doctors believe was novel coronavirus, the new SARS-like disease that first emerged in the Gulf last year and has gone on to claim 18 lives, nine of them in the kingdom.

There is international concern, because it was a virus from the same family of pathogens that triggered the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that swept the world after starting in Asia in 2003 and killed 775 people.

Some of the deaths from the new virus were in Britain and France, including cases in which victims had recently traveled from the Middle East. A total of 34 cases worldwide have been confirmed by blood tests so far.

"My temperature was really high, my blood oxygen levels were very low. I was so tired I couldn't walk for days and any kind of activity made me cough," said Hussein, a PhD student who studies in Canada. To avoid spreading infection, he wore a green face mask.

SLEEPY OASIS

World Health Organization (WHO) experts this week visited Ahsa, a sleepy oasis of around a million people, to work with Saudi authorities in investigating the latest outbreak.

Much of the attention has focused on the private al-Moosa General Hospital in Hofuf, Ahsa's main town, where many of those infected, including Mohammed al-Sheikh, were treated in the intensive care unit.

A senior WHO official said on Sunday it appeared likely that the virus could be passed between people in close contact.

WHO Assistant Director-General Keiji Fukuda said, however, that there was no evidence so far that the virus was able to sustain "generalized transmission in communities", a scenario that would raise the specter of a pandemic.

A public health expert, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter, said "close contact" in this context meant being in the same small, enclosed space with an infected person for a prolonged period of time.

Mohammed al-Sheikh, who suffered from diabetes and had been admitted to hospital with a high fever and low blood sugar never knew what had infected him. He lost consciousness two days before he died.

"The doctors said they didn't know what was wrong," said Hussein. "During his first two days in intensive care he could talk and eat by himself and go to the washroom. But then it got worse. He was on the highest level of oxygen and they had to drug him. He left without saying goodbye," he said, referring to his death.

In the wake of Rumors about the extent of the virus in Ahsa last week, some families of people who were hospitalized said they had been asked by authorities not to speak to media.

Separated from the big cities of Riyadh and Dammam by large stretches of desert, Ahsa is a pretty area famous for its date farms. Drive through its dusty villages and goats appear grazing beneath the palm fronds. Between the trees jut pale rocky outcrops carved by the elements into outlandish shapes.

CALAMITY OF A FATHER'S DEATH

There was little sign in the al-Moosa General Hospital's reception area late on Saturday that it was at the center of a global health concern.

Visitors, doctors and nurses hurried down the corridors. Two women in black hijab waited with their babies outside a door marked "vaccination room".

Hussein al-Sheikh said he believed his father contracted novel coronavirus in the hospital's intensive care unit and that he then caught it there himself during the hours he spent visiting his father in the days before he died on April 15.

But Malek al-Moosa, the hospital's general manager, denied this suggestion and said he believed the patients were in fact exposed to a common source of the virus outside Moosa General Hospital.

Fukukda of the WHO said it was not yet clear how the virus was transmitted.

Of the four members of the Sheikh family who fell sick, only one, Abdullah al-Sheikh, 33, has so far been tested positive for novel coronavirus.

Samples from Mohammed, Hussein and Hanan are still being tested but Moosa said it was likely that they also had the virus.

A poster-sized portrait of Mohammed al-Sheikh, a 56-year-old former employee of the national oil company Saudi Aramco, is displayed in the Sheikh family's reception room, where three of his 10 children sat to describe what they call the "calamity" that has hit their family.

"Our father's dream was that we should all live in one house with a big garden. He had started building it and finished almost 50 percent. This is just killing us," said Hussein. http://news.yahoo.com/rumors-grief-questions-virus-ravages-saudi-family-144807051.html

WHO Press Statement Related to the Novel Coronavirus Situation

via media emailing to 

sharon sanders

12 May 2013


The emergence of this new coronavirus is globally recognized as an important and major challenge for all of the countries which have been affected as well as the rest of the world. The Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has recognized this and invited the World Health Organization (WHO) to help them assess the situation and to provide guidance and recommendations. WHO is pleased to be here to work together with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

At this time there are some things about this new disease we understand. However I would like to remind everyone that this is a new infection and there are also many gaps in our knowledge that will inevitably take time to fill in.

We know that the disease is caused by a virus from a group called coronaviruses. One member of the coronavirus family is the SARs virus. This new virus is NOT the SARS virus. They are distinct from each other. However, the fact that they are related has added to the world’s concern. We know this virus has infected people since 2012, but we don’t know where this virus lives. We know that when people get infected, many of them develop severe pneumonia. What we don’t know is how often people might develop mild disease. We also know that most of the persons who have been infected so far have been older men, often with other medical conditions. We are not sure why we are seeing this pattern and if it will change over time.

There are many other things that we don’t understand. For example, how are people getting infected? Is it from animals? Is it from contaminated surfaces? Is it from other people? Finally, we don’t know how widespread is this virus, both in this region and in other countries.

The greatest global concern, however, is about the potential for this new virus to spread. This is partly because the virus has already caused severe disease in multiple countries, although in small numbers, and has persisted in the region since 2012. Of most concern, however, is the fact that the different clusters seen in multiple countries increasingly support the hypothesis that when there is close contact this novel coronavirus can transmit from person-to-person. This pattern of person-to- person transmission has remained limited to some small clusters and so far, there is no evidence that this virus has the capacity to sustain generalized transmission in communities.

At this point, several urgent actions are needed. The most important ones are the need for countries, both inside and outside of the region, to increase their levels of awareness among all people but especially among staff working in their health systems and to increase their levels of surveillance about this new infection. In Saudi Arabia, we have seen the importance of better surveillance. When new cases are found, as is likely, it is critical for countries to report these cases and related information urgently to WHO as required by the International Health Regulations because this is the basis for effective international alertness, preparedness and response. Countries also need to assess their level of preparedness and readiness if this virus should spread and to intensify strengthening the core capacities identified in the International Health Regulations if they are not adequate. WHO is ready to assist countries in this region and globaly in these tasks.

There are also some questions that urgently need to be answered including how are people are getting infected, and what are the main risk factors for either infection or development of severe disease. The answers to these questions hold the keys to preventing infection.

In closing, we want to note that the Government of Saudi Arabia has taken the novel coronavirus situation very seriously. The Ministry of Health has initiated crucial public health actions -- including intensifying surveillance, initiating investigations and important research and putting control measures in place.

One of the reasons why more cases have been identified in KSA may be because they have gone ahead to strengthen their surveillance system and lab capacities and network.

Coronavirus: transmission from man to man confirmed

The Point.fr - Published 12/05/2013 at 15:27 - Modified 12/05/2013 at 15:40

This virus is "fortunately less infectious than SARS," said Professor Guery the University Hospital of Lille, where both hospitalized patients infected.

The Ministry of Health announced on the night of Saturday to Sunday as the man who had shared for three days, from April 27 to 29, the patient's room at the hospital in Valenciennes, while respiratory disease was not yet known, was well contracted coronavirus (NCoV). These results confirm a transmission from man to man, rare, but possible virus: "This means that once you have an infection, there is a progression that occurs with lung disease can become severe, as c This is the case in this patient, "said on France 2 Guery Professor of Infectious Diseases service Lille University Hospital.

However, coronavirus nCoV is "fortunately less infectious than SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)," said Professor Guery.

"We should not worry"

The specialist "believes we should not worry," given the location "well defined" virus (mainly the Saudi Arabia ) and its "low infectivity". "It is a virus that has been around for a little over a year, and has 34 cases, while for SARS in a few months, we reached 8000 cases," he said.

At midday, the second patient was transferred from the infectious diseases service of resuscitation, because "a deterioration in his clinical condition," according to the University Hospital of Lille. This patient is more difficult to breathe, because "its oxygen requirements have worsened," said a spokeswoman, but it is not at this stage placed on a respirator, in contrast to the first patient.

The necessary steps are taken

According to Professor Guery, if appropriate measures are taken, "there is a risk is extremely low to have secondary infections, except of course if there were changes in the virus." In parallel, the first patient, a 65 year old man hospitalized in intensive care, was still in a "very serious" condition Sunday that "stabilized", according to the hospital.

A special device was developed at the University Hospital of Lille, with the backing of "dedicated teams trained to manage infectious situations. These are the same teams that rotate to avoid possible contamination" of other members of staff, said the spokesman. The Minister of Health, Marisol Touraine will hold a press conference in 16 hours.

http://www.lepoint.fr/sante/coronavirus-transmission-d-homme-a-homme-confirme-12-05-2013-1665749_40.php