The Ministry of Health admitted Wednesday that the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) remains a significant threat to public health in the Kingdom, particularly in Taif.
The ministry said its Command and Control Center (CCC), responsible for coordinating the response to MERS, is concerned about breaking the chain of transmission in Taif, after several infections and deaths in the city.
Since Sept. 5, there have been 38 confirmed cases of the disease across the country. At least 17 people have been infected with the virus in Taif. The primary cases in the city involved people who had unprotected contact with camels and then came into contact with others, including health care workers.
"The available evidence indicates that camels transmit MERS-CoV to humans, who then infect each other through direct contact with droplets that contain the virus," said Anees Sindi, deputy chief of the CCC.
Saeed Al-Khotani - Arab News
