Novel Cornoavirus: Saudi Arabia

Since May 2, 2013 there have been 10 cases of the novel coronavirus reported in the Al Hasa region of province of Ash Sharqiyah in Saudi Arabia.  One of the cases of infection is a family contact of a deceased patient.

Since April 2012, the World Heath Organization has reported 27 laboratory-confirmed cases and 16 deaths from the novel coronavirus.  Cases have occurred in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and possibly Pakistan.  3 people (2 from Brittan and 1 from Saudi Arabia) with no previous travel history were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus and had been in contact with current travel-related cases.  Death occurs through an acute respiratory syndrome caused by the virus.  The mode of transmission is currently unknown, though recent cases indicate possible human-human transmission.