Communicable disease threats report, 7-13 June 2015, week 24

This issue covers the period 7 to 13 June 2015 and includes updates on toxigenic diphtheria in Spain and MERS-CoV.

Toxigenic diphtheria in Spain

On 31 May 2015, Spain had reported a case of toxigenic diphtheria in a 6-year-old unvaccinated child. After contact tracing, it has been reported that eight additional children tested positive for diphtheria bacteria after coming into contact with the index case. All eight children have been vaccinated, so they have not developed the illness but are considered carriers.

ECDC published a rapid risk assessment on 15 June 2015.

 

MERS-CoV

Since the last update on 5 June, South Korea has reported 85 additional cases including six deaths due to Middle East respiratory syndrome – coronavirus (MERS-CoV) bringing the total to 125 cases and ten deaths. All cases are linked to the same transmission chain originating from a case imported from the Middle East.

 

Since the last update on 5 June, Saudi Arabia has reported ten additional cases of MERS-CoV infection and two additional deaths. On 9 June 2015 WHO was notified of an additional case in the United Arab Emirates.

 

ECDC published a Rapid Risk Assessment on 10 June 2015.