Saudi review finds over 100 more MERS infections
The revised figures come from a re-examination of data since 2012
A recent Saudi review of health data has found that the death toll from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has surged to 282, state media, quoting the ministry of health, reported on Tuesday.
Video: Saudi health minister speaks on recent MERS data review
The original death toll in the kingdom had earlier stood at 190 people, on the basis of data collected since 2012.
The “comprehensive revision” of the data also identified 113 more cases of people infected with the sometimes-deadly virus. These figures were revised from 575 to 688.
Of those infected, the ministry says 53 are still receiving treatment.
Referring to the report, acting Saudi Health Minister Adel Fakieh told Al Arabiya News Channel that there was a decline in the average number of registered infections over the past five weeks.
“The number of cases which were recorded per week reached about 108 new cases, and last week they dropped to 28 new cases only,” Fakieh said.
“This means that the average number of cases recorded in the past five weeks has decreased so far by 80 percent compared to the number during the five weeks that had preceded.”
Fakieh said the report provided a re-examination of the data since 2012, when MERS was first identified in the kingdom.
“Now we can say that we have a clear and accurate list that has all the details. Any missing, incorrect or incomplete data is being corrected. This is the clear and final record, not only for last week, but since 2012,” he said.
MERS is considered a deadlier but less transmissible cousin of the Sars virus that appeared in Asia in 2003 and infected 8,273 people, nine percent of whom died.
Like Sars, it appears to cause a lung infection, with patients suffering coughing, breathing difficulties and a temperature. But MERS differs in that it causes rapid kidney failure.
Last month, Fakieh announced he was sacking the head of the King Fahd Hospital in the western city of Jeddah, where a rise in MERS infections among medical staff sparked panic among the public.
Most cases of the disease have been in Saudi Arabia, but the virus has been imported to more than a dozen other countries.
[with AFP]
Also Read
-
Jordan MERS coronavirus death toll rises
A 69-year-old man who suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure is the later victim of the deadly virus Middle East -
Ministry: first MERS infections detected in Algeria
Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates and the United States have also recorded cases Middle East -
Breakthrough in battle against MERS
A compound has been identified that can fight coronaviruses, responsible for the SARS and MERS outbreaks Middle East -
Saudi health minister says working with WHO to fight MERS
Fakieh's comments were in response to a Reuters Special Report on Saudi Arabia's handling of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Middle East -
Household pets like cats, dogs to be tested for MERS
Animals like goats and sheep had been tested but showed no signs of exposure World News -
Pace of new MERS infections in Saudi Arabia slows to four a day
The rate of infection of a deadly virus in Saudi Arabia has slowed since mid May and Monday was the first day free of new cases in six weeks Middle East -
Iran confirms first two cases of MERS
MERS has killed over 175 people in Saudi Arabia and spread reaching as far as the U.S., Lebanon and Greece Middle East -
Saudi health minister urges citizens to ‘join hands’ to combat MERS
Fakeih was speaking at a meeting of King Faisal Specialist Hospital officials Middle East -
MERS contracted by 19 kidney failure patients in Saudi Arabia
At least 19 kidney failure patients suffered from MERS a few weeks ago Middle East -
Saudi Arabia MERS death toll reaches 169
The latest person to fall victim to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome was a 59-year-old man in Taif city Middle East -
Foreign doctors, nurses in Saudi Arabia could take MERS global
About one-third of the MERS cases treated in hospitals in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah were healthcare workers Analysis -
U.S. faces first local MERS transmission
Health officials reported that a contact of the first U.S. case has developed antibodies to the virus World News -
MERS death toll in Saudi Arabia rises to 163
The health ministry website also reveals that 520 cases have been recorded in the country Middle East -
New deaths take Saudi MERS toll to 160
The latest people to die were two women aged 72 and 54 Middle East -
Saudi review finds over 100 more MERS infections
The revised figures come from a re-examination of data since 2012 Middle East
