MERS situation update: February 2021

The aim of this situation update is to provide the epidemiological status of MERS in the Region in order to aid better planning, coordination and response. The information in this document has been reported to WHO by Ministries of Health. For further information, contact: Tel + 20-2-22765492, Fax + 20-2-2765456 E-mail: emrgohspoutbreak@who Published by World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Monazamet El Seha El Alamia Str,Extension of Abdel Razak El Sanhouri Street P.O. Box 7608, Nasr City Cairo 11371, Egypt www.emro.who.int © World Health Organization 2021 Highlights MERS SITUATION UPDATE | FEBRUARY 2021 Distribution of MERS reported cases from Eastern Mediterranean Region by week of onset, June 2012 – February 2021 Tunisia United Arab Emirates Bahrain Egypt Iran (Islamic republic of) Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Oman Qatar Yemen Saudi Arabia 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 1116212631364146514 9 14192429343944492 7 1217222732374247524 9 14192429343944492 7 1217222732374247525 1015202530354045503 8 13182328333843482 7 1217222732374247525 1015202530354045503 8 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 N um be r of c as es Epi week At the end of February 2021, a total of 2572 laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), including 886 associated deaths (case–fatality rate: 34.4%) were reported globally; the majority of these cases were reported from Saudi Arabia (2172 cases, including 808 related deaths with a case–fatality rate of 37.2%). During the month of February 2021, one laboratory-confirmed case of MERS was reported from United Arab Emirates. Four laboratory-con- firmed cases of MERS were also reported from Saudi Arabia with two associated deaths. The reported cases were not linked to any clusters. All cases reported were males. No healthcare worker infections were reported this month. The demographic and epidemiological characteristics of reported cases, when compared during the same corresponding period of 2015 to 2020, do not show any significant difference or change. The age group 50–59 years continues to be at the highest risk for acquiring infection of primary cases. The age group 30–39 years is most at risk for secondary cases. The number of deaths is higher in the age group 50–59 years for primary cases and 70–79 years for secondary cases. . . . . SUMMARY 2572 Laboratory-confirmed cases reported since April 2012 886 Deaths reported since April 2012 27 Countries reported cases globally 12 Countries reported cases since April 2012 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region Epidemiological characteristics of MERS cases reported globally between September 2015 - February 2016 and September 2020 - February 2021 Characteristic Number Median age in years Gender (% male) % of Primary Cases % of Secondary cases (%) of Unknown Contact History % of HCW % Fatal Sept 15 - Feb 16 123 49 67 17 43 4 22 23 Sept 16 - Feb 17 120 57 77 42 10 2 4 36 Sept 17 - Feb 18 96 56 76 35 10 0 4 41 Sept 18 - Feb 19 131 51 79 32 50 1 10 19 Sept 19 - Feb 20 76 57 82 28 11 49 7 30 Sept 20 - Feb 21 10 56 100 70 0 20 0 50 Characteristics of MERS cases reported from Saudi Arabia, June 2012 - February 2021 Type of case Missing Primary Secondary Unknown Grand Total 2012 3 2 5 2013 1 36 93 28 158 2014 15 164 264 219 662 2015 102 52 222 78 454 2016 103 75 60 11 249 2017 68 70 90 5 233 2018 52 54 35 1 142 2019 56 57 75 16 204 2020 7 11 9 33 60 2021 3 2 5 Grand Total 404 525 850 393 2172 MERS cases per week of onset in Saudi Arabia, June 2012 – February 2021 Survived Died Age and fatality distribution of primary and secondary cases of MERS reported from Saudi Arabia June 2012 – February 2021 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 5 10 15 20 25 00-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90&> 90 % A ge G ro u p Survived Died Primary Secondary Cases of MERS in healthcare workers reported from Saudi Arabia, January 2013 – February 2021 0 50 100 150 200 250 N u m b er o f ca se s Month Non-HCW HCW Community versus hospital acquired MERS cases in Eastern Mediterranean Region, January 2014 – February 2021 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 N u m b er o f ca se s Year Community acquired Hospital acquired 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 2226303438424650 2 6 1014182226303438424650 1 5 9 1317212529333741454953 4 8 1216202428323640444852 4 8 1216202428323640444852 4 8 1216202428323640444852 4 8 1216202428323640444852 4 8 12162024283236404448 1 5 9 13172125293337414549 1 5 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 N um be r of M ER S ca se s Epi week 1 3 5 7 9 111 3 5 7 9 111 3 5 7 9 111 3 5 7 9 111 3 5 7 9 111 3 5 7 9 111 3 5 7 9 111 3 5 7 9 111 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Document number: WHO-EM/CSR/414/E