Saudi man dies from MERS virus

Coronavirus seen under an electron miscroscope Riyadh - Arab Today A Saudi man has died of the coronavirus Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), the Saudi Health Ministry said on Saturday, raising to 39 the number of deaths. The Middle East respiratory-syndrome coronavirus (Mers) emerged in 2012 and has infected 90 people worldwide, 45 of them have died. The global concern is that cases could spread much further, echoing the Sars outbreak. Cases have been centred on the Middle East - with patients in Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Additional cases in France, Germany, Italy, Tunisia and the UK have all been linked to travel to the Middle East. The World Health Organisation said earlier this month that MERS, which can cause fever, coughing and pneumonia, had not yet reached pandemic potential and may simply die out. An 83-year-old man from the same southern province was also confirmed to have contracted the virus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases inside the country to 66, the ministry said. Millions are also expected to travel to Mecca for the main hajj pilgrimage which falls in October this year, but the authorities have cut the number of visas this year, citing safety concerns over expansion work at the main mosque site. WHO experts said last month that countries at risk from MERS should put in place plans for handling mass gatherings but has stopped short of recommending restrictions on travel.