According to the World Health Organization, nine cases were detected in Saudi Arabia between March 1 and April 21, with at least two deaths reported.

Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, Public Health Ministry’s secretary, explained that MERS is a disease that mainly affects the respiratory and digestive systems, the symptoms of which can include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Severe cases can lead to pneumonia, kidney failure and even death, especially in people with chronic diseases.

Of the nine recent cases in Saudi Arabia, eight were reported in Riyadh and one in Ḥaʼil.

Six of the cases involved healthcare workers who contracted the virus while treating an infected patient, four were asymptomatic, while two developed mild symptoms.

“The virus is transmitted to humans through camels, which are the main vector of the disease, and from person-to-person it occurs through respiratory droplets or saliva of an infected individual,” Dr. Opas explained.

jrr/abo/mem/asg/liz