MERS reuters
Particles of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus that emerged in 2012 are seen in an undated colorized transmission electron micrograph from the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). REUTERS/National Institute for

Saudi Arabia has revealed that it has significantly more deaths caused by the fatal Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus than earlier reported. According to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health, the new total cases of MERS stands at 282 since 2012, much higher than the previous official death toll pegged at 190.

According to the Ministry's official statement, the new total number of cases recorded in the Kingdom between 2012 and today is 688. Of that total, 282 of the cases were fatalities, 53 are currently receiving treatment and 353 have recovered.

The new figures come after the conduct of a "rigorous examination of data" that seeks to provide a more comprehensive and precise understanding of the MERS-CoV outbreak in the kingdom. The review has led to an enhancement of the ministry's policy development process and improved measures taken to address the situation.

Newsweek says that the news came on the same day as Deputy Heath Minister Ziad Memish was removed due to criticism on how the MERS virus has been handled. The ministry, through its Web site wrote, "Acting Health Minister Adel Fakieh has issued a decision today to relieve Deputy Health Minister Doctor Ziad Memish from his position" but no further details were provided. Memish is the second health official to be sacked, preceded by Health Minister Abdullah al-Rabeeah who was removed mid-April when the MERS virus first spread.

MERS, a coronavirus, is in the same illness group as those of the common cold. MERS patients have an acute respiratory illness, with symptoms that range from a fever, cough and shortness of breath. More complex complications can arise like kidney failure and pneumonia. Presently, no vaccine or special treatment has been identified.

In a related report, Saudi Arabian doctors claim to have identified camels as the source of the MERS infection in humans. The findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine's June 5 issue, with the scientists claim to prove camels as the source, but may not be the lone source, of the MERS virus.