Saudi Arabia’s Battle Against MERS Corona Virus: One Life Lost, Three Infected
Saudi Arabia finds itself on alert once again as the World Health Organization reports three new cases of the MERS Corona Virus (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), resulting in one fatality. The affected individuals, all men aged between 56 and 60 and native to Riyadh, were diagnosed between April 10 and 17. Pre-existing health conditions were present in those afflicted, with investigations pointing to a potential link to a health facility in Riyadh. Authorities have launched an inquiry to pinpoint the exact source of the outbreak.
Originating in Saudi Arabia in 2012, MERS corona virus has since spread across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Incidences were also documented in the United States in 2014 and South Korea in 2015. With cases confirmed in 27 countries globally, the virus, akin to the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for Covid-19, is believed to stem from bats and can transmit from camels to humans, with human-to-human contact also facilitating its spread.
As of now, MERS has claimed 941 lives out of 2,613 reported infections. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, pneumonia, and various respiratory issues such as cold, headache, runny nose, sore throat, fatigue, asthma, and bronchitis. The resurgence of MERS underscores the ongoing challenges posed by coronaviruses, necessitating vigilant monitoring and preventive measures to contain its spread and mitigate its impact.
