Disease

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Saudi Arabia

Between 16 and 31 December 2016 the National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported fifteen (15) additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) including two (2) fatal cases. Five (5) deaths among previously reported MERS cases were also reported.

Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – China

On 5 January 2017, the Department of Health, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) notified WHO of a case of laboratory-confirmed human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus and on 9 January 2017, the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China (NHFPC) notified WHO of 106 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.

Lassa Fever - Nigeria

Lassa fever is back and spreading fast in Nigeria. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Monday, January 16, raised concerns over the increasing cases of Lassa fever and urged increased focus on prevention and preparedness. According to Premium Times, a statement issued by Lawal Bakare, the technical assistant communication of NCDC in Lagos said that seven states reported at least one case of Lassa fever in December 2016. In a fresh report, in Nasarawa, four people have lost their lives to the deadly virus, while several people have been infected. Bakare said that 19 confirmed cases and six deaths had been reported by seven states so far.