Disease

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – South Korea

On 12 October 2015, the National IHR Focal Point of the Republic of Korea provided follow-up information on a previously reported case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection. The patient, who was discharged from hospital on 3 October following two consecutive negative PCR tests for MERS-CoV, was readmitted to hospital with fever on 11 October and tested again positive for MERS-CoV on 12 October.

Syria cholera outbreak sparks fears of ‘international threat’

Cholera has broken out in Syria, with one child having already died after contracting the disease – and the outbreak could constitute an “international threat”.

The break-out, which follows one in Iraq, could spread rapidly, according to Dr Ahmad Tarakji, president of the Syrian American Medical Society (Sams), the largest medical NGO still working in Syria. There are over four million registered Syrian refugees and nearly eight million internally displaced.

There have already been 1,200 confirmed cases of cholera in Iraq in recent weeks, including six deaths. An immunisation programme is due to start there next week.