Updated: March 1, 2013
Travel Health Notice
In fall 2012, a novel (new) coronavirus was identified in a small number of cases of persons who went to or came from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan.
Recently, a family cluster of three cases has been identified in the United Kingdom. The first case was confirmed in a resident of the United Kingdom with recent travel history to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Two additional cases were identified from the same family and both had no prior history of travel. This suggests that these two new cases may have acquired the infection through human-to-human contact with the relative; however, the risk of contracting this infection is still considered to be very low.
The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has also confirmed another case that was hospitalized at the end of January and died on the 10th of February. The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases is now 13, including seven deaths.
Coronaviruses are the cause of the common cold but can also be the cause of more severe illnesses including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). At this time, there is still more to learn about this novel coronavirus. All cases have experienced influenza-like illness including signs and symptoms of pneumonia which may include coughing, mucous, shortness of breath, malaise, chest pain and/or fever.
The World Health Organization continues to work with relevant ministries of health and other international partners to support investigations to gain a better understanding of the disease and its risks. There continues to be no travel restrictions as the risk to travellers remains very low...
