Saudi Arabia Reports SARS-like Virus Victim

Saudi Arabia Reports SARS-like Virus Victim

The World Health Organization revealed that the SARS-like virus that affected the Middle East and Britain has struck again, this time in Saudi Arabia. The total number of victims who died from the mysterious illness has now reached nine.

The health ministry of Saudi Arabia informed the UN agency that the new victim, a 39-year-old male, died last March 2, four days after he was hospitalized. The WHO indicated that initial reports have shown the patient was not in contact with previous cases. An investigation is also being made on possible exposures.

The Novel coronavirus or the nCoV initially emerged last year and the total number of reported cases has already reached fifteen.

Nine of the fatalities have come from Britain, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. A family that was affected in Britain after one of them visited Pakistan and the Middle East. The WHO repeated its calls that member states should maintain their vigilance for severe acute respiratory infection cases. They should also check for any abnormal patterns.

The WHO indicated that it should be promptly informed by its member states of any cases of nCoV. It should also be given all the necessary information in connection to possible exposures caused by the infection. However, the WHO is not advising trade or travel restrictions as well as special screening in connection to the situation.

The agency is collaborating with professionals and the countries that have been hit by the cases in order to evaluate the situation. It also aims to look into recommendations for monitoring and inspection.

The Coronavirus can result to pneumonia and common colds. However, they cause abnormal conditions like SARS or severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Over 800 people were killed in the SARS epidemic that affected China in 2003. The latest virus, which claimed its latest victim in Saudi Arabia, is unlike SARS since it can result to rapid kidney failure.

Posted by James Fried on Thursday March 14 2013, 3:29 AM EST. Ref: Al Jazeera. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0