WHO: Global Alert and Response (GAR) – Disease Outbreak News
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2013_03_12/en/index.html
:: Yellow fever in Sudan – update 3 December 2013
:: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update 2 December 2013

WHO Statement: Fourth Meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee concerning MERS-CoV
4 December 2013
Excerpt
The fourth meeting of the Emergency Committee convened by the Director-General under the International Health Regulations (2005) [IHR (2005)] concerning MERS-CoV was held by teleconference on Wednesday, 4 December 2013, from 12:00 to 15:50 Geneva time (CET).

In addition to Members of the Emergency Committee, two expert advisors also participated1. A number of affected States Parties reporting recent cases of MERS-CoV – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Spain – were also on the teleconference.

During the informational session of the meeting, the WHO Secretariat provided an update on and assessment of epidemiological and scientific developments, including a description of cases over time, notable recent clusters, detection by polymerase chain reaction testing of MERS-CoV in camels, and the public health preparation and experience of the Hajj pilgrimage.

The above affected States Parties presented on recent developments in their countries.

After discussion and deliberation on the information provided, the Committee concluded that it saw no reason to change its previous advice to the Director-General. Based on a risk assessment of current information, it was the unanimous decision of the Committee that the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) have not at present been met…

…Based on events since its last meeting, the Committee emphasized the need for:
:: investigative studies, including international case-control, serological, environmental, and animal-human interface studies, to better understand risk factors and the epidemiology;
:: further review and strengthening of such tools as standardized case definitions and surveillance and further emphasis on infection control and prevention…
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2013/mers_cov_20131204/en/index.html