RIYADH: A 78-year-old Saudi man has been infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) by a camel in Taif, according to a senior official in the Ministry of Health.
“This is a sporadic case that happens due to humans' interacting with infected camels,” the official said. He added that this was only the second case during the past nine days.
Since June 2012, some 1,290 people have been infected with MERS-CoV. That number includes 551 deaths as well as six people still undergoing treatment at various hospitals in the Kingdom.
Recent tests carried out on 112 camels by the Agriculture Ministry found that 85 percent of the animals carry MERS-CoV.
The tests, conducted in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, were taken at the Al-Inam Central Market in Jeddah.
Deputy Health Minister for Public Health, Dr. Abdul Aziz bin Saeed, warned people that young camels are likely to carry the virus with the onset of winter.
“Winter, specially the months of December and January, is the period when the young camels shed the virus which may attack humans in the same vicinity,” he said . He added that the ministry expected an increase in infections during the season, but added that it can be curtailed through precautions.
The deputy minister recalled that last month, the ministry conducted a survey of 160 camels in Jeddah and 50 of the juveniles were found carrying the virus.
“This is a sporadic case that happens due to humans' interacting with infected camels,” the official said. He added that this was only the second case during the past nine days.
Since June 2012, some 1,290 people have been infected with MERS-CoV. That number includes 551 deaths as well as six people still undergoing treatment at various hospitals in the Kingdom.
Recent tests carried out on 112 camels by the Agriculture Ministry found that 85 percent of the animals carry MERS-CoV.
The tests, conducted in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, were taken at the Al-Inam Central Market in Jeddah.
Deputy Health Minister for Public Health, Dr. Abdul Aziz bin Saeed, warned people that young camels are likely to carry the virus with the onset of winter.
“Winter, specially the months of December and January, is the period when the young camels shed the virus which may attack humans in the same vicinity,” he said . He added that the ministry expected an increase in infections during the season, but added that it can be curtailed through precautions.
The deputy minister recalled that last month, the ministry conducted a survey of 160 camels in Jeddah and 50 of the juveniles were found carrying the virus.
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