EU health agency: Europe can expect imported MERS cases

An EU health agency warned on Friday that sporadic cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) could be expected in the region following an unexpected outbreak at a Saudi Arabian hospital.

The outbreak in Riyadh resulted in 30 deaths in August, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), adding that "sporadic, imported cases" could await in Europe as a result of the substantial number of travellers between there and the Middle East.

"The extent to which other health care facilities in Riyadh are affected is unknown, as is the number of asymptomatic individuals who may be infected," the agency said.

A surge of 110 cases were detected in August after the agency said the EU had a low degree of exposure to MERS in June.

The agency urged that "strict and timely application" of prevention and control measures was "imperative" after assessing the surge in reported cases.

The ECDC, headquartered in the Swedish capital since 2005, works with health authorities across Europe to fight infectious diseases.