HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius determined there is "significant potential" for a public health emergency due to the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus.
MERS-CoV, previously called "novel coronavirus," is a respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus and was first reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. The virus has "a significant potential to affect national security or the health and security of United States citizens living abroad," Ms. Sebelius wrote. She authorized emergency use of vitro diagnostics to detect MERS-CoV.
Since April 2012, the virus has caused 55 deaths, the majority of which occurred in Saudi Arabia. There have been no reports of the virus in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CDC: Percentage of Annual ED Visits Stable 2001-2011
HHS Releases 2013 National Action Plan to Prevent HAIs
MERS-CoV, previously called "novel coronavirus," is a respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus and was first reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. The virus has "a significant potential to affect national security or the health and security of United States citizens living abroad," Ms. Sebelius wrote. She authorized emergency use of vitro diagnostics to detect MERS-CoV.
Since April 2012, the virus has caused 55 deaths, the majority of which occurred in Saudi Arabia. There have been no reports of the virus in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
More Articles on CDC:
CDC: Heart Disease, Cancer Death Rates DecreasedCDC: Percentage of Annual ED Visits Stable 2001-2011
HHS Releases 2013 National Action Plan to Prevent HAIs