MERS coronavirusWIKIMEDIA, NIHThe National International Health Regulations (IHR) Focal Point for Austria this week notified the World Health Organization (WHO) that a Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection had been confirmed in Vienna, Austria, the WHO announced today (October 2). A 29-year-old woman—who last month traveled to Vienna from Afif, Saudi Arabia, where MERS-CoV is thought to have originated and has infected at least 15 people since August, killing four—was confirmed to be infected by the MERS-CoV last week (September 29). This marked the first laboratory-confirmed case of the virus in Austria, which now joins a handful of other countries, including the U.S., that have reported cases of MERS-CoV. Globally, there have been a total of 852 MERS-CoV infections—including more than 300 deaths—reported to the WHO.
The patient diagnosed in Austria had been symptomatic prior to her travel from Saudi Arabia, the agency stated, presenting with upper respiratory infection and fever. She is now in stable condition at a hospital in Vienna. At least two people she had contact with have also come down with upper respiratory symptoms and have been admitted to the hospital; their laboratory tests are still pending. Austrian health authorities are continuing to reach out to others she may have had contact with, including the passengers of her international flight from Doha, Qatar.
Yesterday (October 1), the WHO released a statement from the seventh meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee regarding MERS-CoV, held virtually last week. The committee reported that there has been no change in the ...
