New SARS-Like Virus: Death Toll in Saudi Arabia Reaches 15

SARS French Case Infected Through Human-to-Human Transmission; WHO Urges Countries to Stay Alert

The death toll due to the new SARS-like coronavirus has reached 15 lives in Saudi Arabia. France, on the other hand, has reported its second infection which was believed to have contracted through human-to-human transmission.

"The number of people who contracted the virus in the kingdom since August/September is 24, of whom 15 have died," Abdullah al-Rabia, health minister, told a news conference in Riyadh.

The second case of infection in France was a hospital roommate of the 65-year-old man who contracted the deadly virus while on a nine-day vacation at the United Arab Emirates.

Marisol Touraine, French health minister, said at a news conference the second patient's condition has deteriorated, requiring treatment in intensive care.

Following this second case of infection, officials from the World Health Organisation (WHO) advised countries to stay alert as the new coronavirus seemed to be able to transfer between humans, but only after prolonged contact.

Although the virus still has to show a "generalised transmission in communities," Keiji Fukuda, WHO assistant director-general, said a concern still stays that "fact that the different clusters seen in multiple countries ... increasingly support the hypothesis that when there is close contact, this novel coronavirus can transmit from person to person."

"There is a need for countries to ... increase levels of awareness," he told reporters in Saudi Arabia, the place bearing the largest cluster of infections so far.

The first and second French patients shared a room for a few days in late April at a hospital in Valenciennes.

Both are now being treated at the Lille Hospital in northern France.

Authorities at the French airport have released pamphlets advising travelers on measures to avoid getting sick, such as frequently washing hands or avoiding animals. It likewise listed down worrisome symptoms to monitor, such as fever.

"Professionals, doctors, consider that there is no need for excessive worry, but once again we should be vigilant," Ms Touraine said. "I am repeating: Nothing is being left to chance."