MERS stats higher than previously thought, say Saudi Officials

By Dr. Tayaba Naim Khan

A recent statement by Saudi Arabian Health Ministry states that incidences of MERS were twice as high as previously suspected. Since 2012 the number of deaths due to MERS have jumped to 282 from 190, leading to a 41% newly tabulated mortality rate.

Saudi officials however still state that the epidemic is under control and the rate of infection in recent outbreak is slowing down.

MERS or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome is a viral respiratory disease identified for the first time in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. Reported cases have been found in countries including Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen to name a few. Patients complain of fever, cough and shortness of breath. Severe cases lead to respiratory failure leading to collapse, organ failure and death.