File:Department of Navy (DON) Surveillance Advisory- Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) 15 May 2014 (IA 15maymerscovsituation).pdf

Issue

 The first two cases of MERS-CoV infection detected in the United States, identified in healthcare workers returning from Saudi Arabia, were reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in May 2014. NAVMED clinicians and public health authorities should maintain a high index of suspicion to consider MERS-CoV infection in travelers from the Arabian Peninsula and neighboring countries.

 As of 9 May 2014, 536 laboratory confirmed cases of MERS-CoV, including 145 deaths, have been reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).

 All reported cases to date have been linked to seven countries in the Arabian Peninsula: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait and Yemen. In some cases, the virus has spread from infected people to others through close contact. However, there is currently no evidence of sustained spread of MERS-CoV in the community.

 No special screenings at points of entry or travel restrictions are recommended by the WHO or the CDC.

 The National Center for Medical Intelligence (NCMI) reports the risk for DoD personnel, including those operating in affected areas, to be low. The Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center is monitoring the situation and no MERS-CoV transmission has been identified in the United States or in the DoD population.

 NMCPHC medical surveillance strategy includes central analysis of electronic clinical data, local ESSENCE monitoring, and reporting of unusual conditions and clusters via Disease Reporting System internet (DRSi).