CIDRAP
May 14, 2013
Robert Roos 
News Editor
News Editor
May 14, 2013 (CIDRAP News) – Two healthcare workers are among six
new novel coronavirus (nCoV) cases reported in Saudi Arabia since late
yesterday, suggesting that the virus might have spread from infected
patients to hospital staff members.
-snip-
On the heels of the WHO statement came a brief statement from the
Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH), saying, "MOH would like to point out
that two new confirmed cases of Coronavirus have been detected among
health practitioners in the Eastern Region, and they are currently still
under the medical observation receiving the proper treatment."
The MOH gave no information about where the patients were working
or whether they are now considered part of the hospital cluster, which
reports have linked to Al-Moosa General Hospital in Hofuf, Eastern
province. Nor did the statement give any other details about the health
workers or their condition.
An Agence France-Presse (AFP) story today said the Saudi MOH identified the two sick healthcare workers as nurses.
-snip-
In related developments, a leading German virologist expressed
concern that Saudi Arabia has not been sharing nCoV samples with
European laboratories so they can study it, according to a report today
from the German news broadcaster Deutsche Welle. The story quoted
Christian Drosten, MD, director of the Institute of Virology at the
University of Bonn Medical Center.
"We are all really trying to collaborate and provide materials,
diagnostic tests and also assistance," Drosten said. "But what we don't
really see is feedback in terms of samples for investigation. Because
it's what we really need to do. We need to look at the virus—especially
if we are concerned that the virus could evolve. The virus could change
and optimize itself and spread more efficiently."
Drosten said it was unclear whether the lack of sample sharing is
due to political factors or other reasons. "The solution to the whole
thing is of course to establish lab capacity there, in the country, but
this is a process," he commented.
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