Situation at glance:
On 5 January 2023, Oman IHR-NFP notified WHO of a case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), in a 60-year-old male, from North Batinah Governorate in Oman. The case had no history of physical contact with dromedaries, goats, sheep or contact with camel products, milk, or urine. Based on the investigation conducted to identify potential exposure sources within the 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms, camel racing exercises were found to have been conducted in the area of the patient’s residence in North Batinah Governorate. A total of 76 close contacts were followed for 14 days from the date of last exposure with the case. No secondary cases have been reported to date.
Description of the case:
On 5 January 2023, the National IHR Focal point of Oman notified WHO of one case of MERS-CoV from North Batinah Governorate in Oman.
The case, a 60-year-old male, non-healthcare worker, with comorbidities, who is a resident of North Batinah Governorate, developed symptoms including chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and fever on 28 December which lasted for six days. On 2 January, he was taken to the emergency department of a secondary hospital where he was admitted to the Cardiology Unit for non-invasive ventilation. Prior to admission at the hospital, the case sought medical attention in two healthcare facilities for his symptoms. The case subsequently showed clinical and radiological improvement and was discharged on 16 January 2023.
Screening for Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) was initiated on 3 January 2023 and MERS-CoV was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing. Investigation of the history of exposure to the known risk factors in the 14 days prior to the onset of the symptoms identified camel racing exercises conducted in the same area as the patient’s residence in North Batinah Governorate. The case, a driving instructor by occupation, had no history of physical contact with dromedaries, goats, sheep or contact with camel products, milk, or urine.
The last MERS-CoV infection was reported from Oman in May 2022. The first ever laboratory-confirmed case of MERS-CoV in Oman was reported in June 2013. Since then, including this current case, Oman has reported 26 cases of MERS-CoV including seven deaths (CFR 27%).
