The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a new case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Oman, the first in nine months.
The latest case to be reported is a 54-year-old man living in Al-Musanaa Batinah region, the WHO reported on its website.
“On 30 August 2017, the national IHR focal point of Oman reported one case of Middle East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV),” the report explains, adding: “The last report of MERS-CoV from Oman was on 29 November 2016.”
The report states that there are 2,080 “laboratory-confirmed cases” of MERS, including at least 722 related deaths, which have been reported to the WHO.
Now the Omani Ministry of Health in Oman is contacting family and health care workers at the hospitals where the patient was treated.
“Laboratory testing for symptomatic and high-risk family contacts, including health care workers is underway. Community members and those who have been in contact with the patient are being educated on infection prevention, mass gatherings, travel, and other related topics, following Oman MERS-CoV National Preparedness and Response Guidelines,” the statement adds.
The disease causes severe infections and has a high mortality rate. It was spread to humans through close direct or indirect contact with infected camels, according to the WHO.
Meanwhile transmission between humans has occurred mainly in health care settings.
The WHO warned that it believes more cases will be reported across the Middle East in the future and that this will also lead to the disease being exported to other countries.