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By Region: Middle East

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update

(WHO) WHO has been informed of an additional eight laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in Saudi Arabia. The cases include two men with underlying medical conditions from Riyadh who died, three women and one man, also from Riyadh, and two men from Asir region. Additionally, a previously laboratory-confirmed case from Read More »

August 29, 2013
| Filed under Europe, Middle East, North America, International, and Public Health
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MERS Virus Discovered in Bat Near Outbreak Site in Saudi Arabia

(GlobalBiodefense) A 100% genetic match for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has been discovered in an insect-eating bat in close proximity to the first known case of the disease in Saudi Arabia. The discovery points to the likely animal origin for the disease, although researchers say that an intermediary animal is likely also involved. Led Read More »

August 23, 2013
| Filed under Europe, Middle East, North America, Public Health, and Research
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Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – update

(WHO) The National Health and Family Planning Commission, China notified WHO of a new laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus. This is the first new confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus since 20 July 2013. The patient is a 51-year-old woman from Huizhou, Guangdong Province. She became Read More »

August 12, 2013
| Filed under Asia/Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, and International
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Handle with care

(Nature) The H7N9 avian flu virus first reported in China in March has so far infected at least 134 people, and killed 43 of them. Thankfully, there are no signs yet that it can easily be transmitted between people — instead it is sporadically being caught by humans through contact with chickens and other fowl. Read More »

August 8, 2013
| Filed under Asia/Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, Biotechnology, and Research
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H7N9: Experts propose new experiments

(IndependentOnline) Scientists proposed new experiments on Wednesday on the deadly H7N9 bird flu to examine how mutant forms might spread among humans, a topic that has stoked global alarm in the past. The announcement came a day after Chinese scientists reported the first likely case of person-to-person transmission of the H7N9 virus, which has killed Read More »