Headlines

Surveillance of coronavirus infections continues As of December 6, 2012, a total of 9 confirmed cases of severe respiratory infections caused by the novel coronavirus have been reported, including 5 cases that also presented with acute kidney failure. The patients’ ages range from 25 to 70 years. Eight cases are male. Five cases have died. The affected geographic areas include Jordan (2 cases), Saudi Arabia (5 cases), and Qatar (2 cases). In Europe, no cases have been reported to date (except for two cases transferred from Qatar). Analyses by the WHO and the ECDC suggest intermittent zoonotic transmission or an environmental source, without ruling out human-to-human transmission. The WHO recommends continuing surveillance of cases of severe respiratory infections, expanding the geographic area of exposure beyond the initial zone.