Situation update on Middle East respiratory syndrome December 2017

• At the end of December 2017, a total of 2127 laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), including 757 associated deaths (case–fatality rate: 35.6%) were reported globally; the majority of these cases were reported from Saudi Arabia (1753 laboratory-confirmed cases, including 683 related deaths with a case–fatality rate of 38.9%).
• During the month of December, 6 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS were reported globally as follows- 4 cases in Saudi Arabia including one associated death, one case in United Arab of Emirates and one case in Malaysia. No health-care associated transmission or hospital outbreak was reported during this month.
• The demographic and epidemiological characteristics of the cases reported in 2017 do not show any significant difference compared with cases reported during the same period from 2012 to 2016. Owing to improved infection prevention and control practices in the hospitals, the number of hospital-acquired cases of MERS has dropped significantly in 2015 and in 2016 compared to previous years.
• The age group of those aged 50–59 years continues to be the group at highest risk for acquiring infection as primary cases. For secondary cases, it is the age group of 30–39 years who are mostly at risk. The number of deaths is higher in the age group of 50–59 years for primary cases and 70–79 years for secondary cases.

Situation update on Middle East respiratory syndrome, December 2017