REPORT: First Case of MERS Coronavirus Detected in Lebanon- Health Minister

The first case of the MERS coronavirus was detected in a Beirut hospital, Health Minister Wael Abou Faour confirmed Thursday, adding that the patient was discharged from hospital.

In this regard, sources told LBCI that the patient, a Lebanese national, has recently visited a number of Arab countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"Close contacts of the patient are currently monitored for signs of the virus," the sources said.

MERS is a coronavirus like SARS, which killed around 800 people worldwide after first appearing in China in 2002. MERS can cause coughing, fever and pneumonia and has no vaccine or anti-viral treatment.   

Scientists say it does not transmit easily between people, although it could mutate, and that the most likely animal reservoir, from which new cases are becoming infected, is Saudi Arabia's population of camels.          

Arab countries including Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Tunisia have all reported cases of MERS, as well as several countries in Europe including France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Britain. Last week, the United States confirmed its first case, a man who had been a health worker in Saudi Arabia.           

Saudi Arabia has recorded 411 cases and 112 deaths so far, its Health Ministry said on Saturday.


LBCI/REUTERS