Two more cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and one death have been reported today from the Health Ministry in Saudi Arabia, for a total of 531 cases and 169 deaths since the first registered case in 2012. The two new cases are reported from Jeddah and Riyadh, and the death was reported in Taif, according to the ministry.

MERS is a viral respiratory illness caused by MERS-CoV, a coronavirus. Human coronaviruses can be cause for upper-respiratory tract illnesses, some of which may be fatal. The majority of individuals with confirmed infection by MERS-CoV have developed symptoms including fever, cough and shortness of breath – all indicative of severe, acute respiratory illness. 30% of these individuals died.

The virus has seen to have been spread from infected individuals to others by means of close contact, through activities such as caring for them or living in the same household. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all the cases so far have been linked to countries in the Arabian Peninsula, including Jordan, Qatar, UAE, Oman and Yemen. The virus has not been seen to spread in community settings thus far.

Despite strict attempts to control the spread of the virus, new cases and deaths are reported on a daily basis.

CDC has provided information for all who may come in contact with the virus or be impacted by it, such as travellers and health professionals and other global partners to better prepare themselves in dealing with MERS cases. Arab scientists who are at the forefront of the fight against the disease stated that the next step is to pinpoint individuals who might have the virus without symptoms, and be spreading the infection unknowingly. Further preventative action was cited as involving understanding how the virus behaves in people with less severe infections.