Here We Go: MERS-CoV Case Reported in UAE, WHO Continues Monitoring Situation

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported a confirmed case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in a 28-year-old male from Al Ain city, according to a statement released by the World Health Organization (WHO) Monday.

The patient, a non-Emirati national, presented no direct or indirect history of contact with animals such as dromedaries, goats, or sheep. Despite the absence of this common risk factor, the nasopharyngeal swab collected on 21 June 2023 tested positive for MERS-CoV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on 23 June 2023.

Since the first reported case in July 2013, the UAE has confirmed a total of 94 MERS-CoV cases, including this latest one,  and 12 associated deaths with a case-fatality ratio of 13%.

The case under study visited a private medical center with symptoms including vomiting, right flank pain, and dysuria between June 3 and 7. His condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to hospitalization on June 8 with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, acute kidney injury, and sepsis.