RIYADH: A woman and three men died on Sunday after contracting the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Riyadh, bringing the total number of deaths to 507 since June, 2012.
According to the latest report issued by the Ministry of Health, the total number of cases in the Kingdom has reached 1,178, including 609 recovered patients and 62 patients who are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals across the country.
The woman who died was 60 years of age, while the deceased men were aged 57, 69 and 78.
Additionally, the MoH reported three new cases of men becoming infected with the virus on Sunday, including a 24-year-old expatriate health worker in Riyadh, and two other men from Riyadh and Hail. According to reports, the expatriate health worker and the patient from Hail are both in critical condition.
Meanwhile on the directives of Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar, health facilities in the capital have stepped up their preventive measures to safeguard against the spread of the deadly virus. Specifically, the MoH has launched an intensive awareness campaign to warn people of the hazards associated with the virus and to educate them about how transmission of the virus can be prevented.
According to the World Health Organization, the full picture regarding the source of the virus is not yet clear. Strains of MERS‐CoV that match human strains have been isolated as predominantly coming from camels in Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
These and other studies have found genetic sequence data from humans and camels demonstrates a close link between the virus that is found in camels and the virus that is found in people.
Animals such as goats, cows, sheep, water buffalo, swine and wild birds have all been tested for antibodies to the virus, but so far no matches have been found.
MERS toll 507 with four more deaths
MERS toll 507 with four more deaths
