The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday that one man died and two others were critically ill in Saudi Arabia, after being infected with a new strain of coronavirus.
WHO said in a press release that it was informed by the Saudi Health Ministry of an additional four laboratory-confirmed cases with infection of the novel coronavirus (NCoV).
The first death was that of a 69-year-old woman with multiple coexisting medical conditions who fell ill on April 25. Two other patients with multiple coexisting medical conditions are in critical condition. The fourth patient, who turned sick on May 7, has recovered and subsequently discharged from hospital.
Since the beginning of May, a total of 19 patients, including nine deaths, have been reported from the outbreak primarily linked to a health care facility in the eastern part of the oil-rich country. The government has been investigating the outbreak.
A total of 38 laboratory confirmed cases of human infection with NCoV had been confirmed in the Middle East and Europe with the death toll rising to 20.
WHO urged all Member-States to continue their surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns.
Health care providers are advised to be vigilant about recent travelers returning from areas affected by the virus who develop severe SARI. Specimens from patients' lower respiratory tracts should be obtained for diagnosis where possible. Clinicians are reminded that NCoV infection should be considered even with atypical signs and symptoms in patients who are significantly immune compromised.
WHO called on all Member-States to promptly assess and notify it of any new case of NCoV infection, along with information about potential exposures that may have resulted in infection and a description of the clinical course.
WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event nor does it currently recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions, but assured that it continues to closely monitor the situation.
The new strain of the virus was first identified in September last year in a man from Qatar who had traveled in Saudi Arabia. He had developed fever and respiratory problems.
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause a range of illnesses from the common cold to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which became an epidemic in 2003. The virus could be transmitted between people in close and prolonged contact. The sources of infection for the new coronavirus are still unclear, according to WHO Assistant Director-General Keiji Fukuda.
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