As summer sets in, the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has reported four laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection to the World Health Organization (WHO), including two deaths. One of these cases was a secondary infection acquired in a healthcare facility. Fortunately, no additional secondary cases have been identified¹. This reporting highlights the ongoing threat posed by the virus in regions where it circulates among dromedary camels, particularly in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the United States has notified WHO of an ongoing measles outbreak. Between January 1 and March 20, 2025, 378 cases have been reported across 17 states: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Washington. Two deaths have been reported, one confirmed in Texas and another under investigation in New Mexico. The majority of cases involve children who are either unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status, with a hospitalization rate of 17%.
Additionally, Angola is experiencing a significant cholera outbreak. A total of 8,543 cases and 329 deaths (Case Fatality Rate (CFR) 3.9%) have been reported, with one-third of the deaths occurring in the community. The outbreak has rapidly spread to 16 out of Angola’s 21 provinces, affecting individuals of all age groups, with the highest burden among those under 20 years old. The Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and partners, is managing the cholera outbreak response through case detection, deployment of rapid response teams, community engagement, and a vaccination campaign.
Reference:
World Health Organization (13 March 2025). Disease Outbreak News; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Available at: http://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/-2025DON560
Key words: Editorial
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