Cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) continue to mount in Saudi Arabia as two new confirmed cases are reported in Riyadh, according to the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health (MOH) Saturday.

Details of the two new cases are as follows:

1 – Riyadh: 53 year old Saudi male, non-healthcare worker, deceased, history of pre-existing co-morbidities, no history of animal exposure, no history of contact with suspected or confirmed cases in hospitals/clinics, no history of contact with suspected or confirmed cases in the community.

2 – Riyadh: 44 year old expat male, healthcare worker, currently admitted to hospital ward, history of pre-existing co-morbidities, no history of animal contact, possible history of contact with suspected or confirmed case in hospitals/clinics, no history of contact with suspected or confirmed cases in the community.

In addition, two additional MERS related fatalities were also reported in Saudi men ages 53 and 70 from Riyadh and Taif, respectively.

This brings the totals in Saudi Arabia since 2012 and as of Oct. 26 to 777 laboratory confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection, including 331 deaths for a CFR of 42.6%.

According to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) disease outbreak update, globally, WHO has received notification of 883 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV.

Saudi Arabia MERS/Saudi MOH
Saudi Arabia MERS/Saudi MOH