Disease

Novel coronavirus infection - update

Saudi Arabia has informed WHO of another confirmed case of infection with the novel coronavirus (NCoV).

The patient was hospitalized on 29 January 2013 and died on 10 February 2013. The case was laboratory-confirmed on 18 February 2013. Further investigation into this case is ongoing.

In the United Kingdom, the Health Protection Agency continues to investigate the family cluster where three members of the family tested positive for NCoV infection. One member of this family, who had an underlying health condition, has died.

Coronaviruses are spread like other respiratory infections such as flu. They travel in airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Related to viruses found in bats, NCoV is known to have infected at least 13 people around the world so far, half of whom have died.

NCoV belongs to the same broad family of viruses as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

In the early 2000s, SARS killed roughly 800 people around the world and triggered a worldwide health scare. The symptoms of both NVoC and SARS include fever, coughing and respiratory difficulties.