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Saudi Arabia registers 4 MERS fatalities, 2 new cases

Xinhua, August 19, 2015 Adjust font size:

Saudi Arabia registered on Wednesday four Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) corona virus fatalities and two new cases, according to a statement issued by the Saudi Health Ministry.

The deaths and new cases reported are from Riyadh which has been witnessing a rise in the spreading of the virus in last two weeks.

This brought the total death toll to 483 and cases to 1,118 since the first reported case in July 2012.

MERS, also known as Coronavirus, causes symptoms similar to colds in individuals it infects.

Tamara Talal, head of the anti-virus transmission team, told local newspaper earlier this week that the increase in cases in Riyadh was due to the fact that the virus-hit hospital is not under the supervision of the ministry.

Talal said strict measures will be taken to normalize the situation.

The health ministry has recently announced a free-of-contagious-diseases season, including MERS corona, amongst pilgrims who performed the Omra (minor Islamic pilgrimage) in the summer. Endit