LEBANON HEALTH MINISTRY DETECTS FIRST CASE OF MERS

Beirut, 9 Rajab 1435/9 May 2014 (MINA) – Lebanon Health Ministry has detected the first case of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the country.

“For the sake of transparency toward the Lebanese public, and the responsibility and concern for the safety and health of the Lebanese, this afternoon one case of a patient was diagnosed with the coronavirus, and he is being treated at one of the hospitals,” Lebanese newspaper The Daily Star cited the ministry as saying in a statement issued on Thursday.

The statement said the person who contracted the virus was released after showing signs of recovery, Press tv quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Also Read: BAHRAIN TO DEVELOP CENTRAL SHARIA BOARD FOR ISLAMIC BANKS

The Health Ministry also noted that it is carrying out studies to make sure that there’s no epidemic in the country, urging doctors and hospitals to take maximum precautions and inform the ministry of any suspected cases.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, which is the hardest hit by the disease, announced four more deaths on the same day as the kingdom battles to contain the disease that has killed 121 people so far.

The number of MERS infections in Saudi Arabia has risen to 449 since the illness first appeared in the kingdom in September 2012.

On Tuesday, acting Saudi Health Minister Adel Fakieh dismissed the head of Jeddah’s King Fahd Hospital, where a spike in MERS infections among medical staff sparked panic among the public.

Also Read: EGYPT'S NEW GRAND MUFTI ELECTED FOR FIRST TIME EVER

MERS is regarded as a deadlier but less transmissible cousin of the SARS virus, which first broke out in Asia in 2003 and infected more than 8,000 people.

In addition to Saudi Arabia, MERS has been reported in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy, Tunisia and Britain. (T/P012/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)