National Health Advisory - Latest Update on MERS 22 Jun 2015

On 16 June 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) convened a meeting of its Emergency Advisory Committee to discuss MERS-CoV and the outbreak in South Korea. The Committee concluded that the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern under the International Health Regulations (2005) have not been met.

Click onto the link below to see updated information for health professionals:
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)

On 16 June 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) convened a meeting of its Emergency Advisory Committee to discuss MERS-CoV and the outbreak in South Korea. The Committee concluded that the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern under the International Health Regulations (2005) have not been met.

The Committee noted that there is no current evidence of sustained community transmission.  Transmission of MERs-CoV in the ongoing outbreak in South Korea has been strongly associated with healthcare settings.  This aspect stresses the need for effective infection prevention and control measures to be in place at all times.

The WHO does not recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions and considers screening at points of entry to be unnecessary at this time. The WHO advises that raising awareness about MERS and its symptoms among those travelling to and from affected areas is good public health practice, as well as raising awareness about the disease among health professionals.

Given the outbreak in South Korea, the Ministry has produced the attached updated information for Health Professionals.
This document is also available at: www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/middle-east-respiratory-syndrome-coronavirus-mers-cov

If you require any further information please contact:
Dr Lisa Oakley, Manager, Communicable Diseases
Public Health
Clinical Leadership, Protection & Regulation
Ministry of Health
DDI: 04 816 4426, Mobile: 021 428 162