Rapid Risk Assessment: Severe respiratory disease associated with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) - 14th update, 24 February 2015
Since April 2012 and as of 20 February 2015, 1 042 cases (including 419 deaths) of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been reported by local health authorities worldwide.
Executive Summary
The incidence of MERS-CoV cases has been on an increase in Saudi Arabia since December 2014. This increase parallels the increase observed in early 2014 and may be indicative of the start of a seasonal pattern. Most of the increase in the recent weeks affects Riyadh, and one third of the recent cases may have a nosocomial origin.
The source of MERS-CoV infection and the mode of transmission have still not been confirmed.
Although importation of MERS-CoV cases to the EU remains possible, the risk of sustained human-to-human transmission in Europe remains very low.