First cases of MERS reported in Iran, even while Saudi Arabian incidences have slowed

The first two cases MERS in Iran are reported alongside a lack of report of new patients in Saudi Arabia for months.

Reports of the first cases of MERS to reach Iran came yesterday, along with the news that the virus appears to be slowing down in Saudi Arabia for the first time in two months.

Iran has reported two cases thus far. Both patients came from the same family. Two sisters from Kerman, a province in southeast Iran, have been confirmed to have contracted the MERS virus after they and two other family members were exposed to it. No detail was given in the report as to how they were exposed. The announcement came from a translated statement released by the health ministry in Iran.

Jordan reported its latest case on May 25, bringing the tally for the country to 11 confirmed cases since May 23.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has gone two days without reporting a single new case. As the hardest hit country in the outbreak, Saudi Arabia has seen a rapid acceleration in reported instances of MERS infection over the last two months. With nearly 200 cases reported in May alone, the last two days bring hope to some that the spread of the virus may be slowing.

Thus far, Saudi Arabia has reported a total of 562 cases of MERS and 180 deaths. The most recent death was announced today, stating that an 81-year-old man had passed away yesterday as a result of the viral infection.

Despite the apparent slowing of infections in Saudi Arabia, other countries continue to report new cases. So far, 20 countries have confirmed cases of MERS infected patients. These countries include Jordan, Qatar, Yemen, Kuwait, Oman and Lebanon. There have even been two cases found in the United States.

The MERS virus is a type of virus known as a coronavirus and it affects the respiratory system. Little is known about the virus and scientists are aggressively researching ways to develop an effective vaccine. The virus is often lethal and the increased rapidity with which it has been spreading this year has raised alarms for health officials worldwide. Some patients present with mild or no symptoms, making it harder for international travel to ensure that spread is avoided.