Riyadh reports 1 MERS death case, 453 fatalities in total since 2012

Source: Xinhua

Updated: 2015-06-15

RIYADH, June 12, (Xinhua) -- Saudi Health Ministry announced on Friday the death of a 77-year old Saudi man of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) corona virus, bringing the number of total death cases to 453 since the outbreak of the deadly disease in 2012.

According to the health authorities, Saudi Arabia has so far reported 1030 MERS infections, 568 of whom have recovered, while eight cases are still receiving treatment.

Saudi Arabia witnessed a rise in the cases in February and March of this year because of the changing weather and the breading season of camels, the main suspect of the carrier of the virus.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a typical case of MERS infection involves with such symptoms as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and can lead to pneumonia and kidney failure.

So far as the scientists know, the virus is contracted through exposure to infected individuals, either from health facilities like hospitals, or by direct contact with camels, which are believed to be carriers of the virus.

The WHO said the MERS epidemic does not seem to pass easily from person to person unless there is close contact, which explains why there have been clusters of infections at health-care facilities where human transmission could be more efficient and convenient.

Despite the fact that the deadly disease have been around for years, and caused so many deaths, there is still no cure or vaccine for MERS, while current treatment has largely been supportive care.

Since the first outbreak of MERS in 2012, Riyadh has twice replaces its health ministers, while the country's health authorities have urged its nationals to stay away from consuming camel meat and milk.

What also should be noted is that it usually takes about five days to two weeks before the virus can produce symptoms once an individual is being infected. The disease could pose even greater risk of developing severe MERS symptoms for those who already have diabetes, cardiac conditions, or lung problems.