MERS deaths in Algeria, contracted in Saudi Arabia transmitted from camels
Two cases registered in the North African country. A pilgrim returning from Mecca dies. In Saudi Arabia there are about 700 infected; so far the death toll is at around 300. The infection seems to come from camels.

Algiers (AsiaNews / Agencies) - A 59 year old  Algerian died yesterday  from the coronavirus infection known as MERS, which he contracted during his pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, home to the largest number of cases of this disease.

This is the second case of infection in Algeria among those who have returned from Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi kingdom has registered MERS cases (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) since 2012. It a viral infection with symptoms similar to those of the common cold. But in the case of MERS it often leads to kidney failure and pneumonia. According to data from the country, so far there have been at least 282 deaths out of nearly 700 infections.

Thanks to a certain superficiality on the part of the Saudi Minister for Health (who has now resigned), the virus has spread even further among people who came to Saudi Arabia for business or for religious reasons.

Cases of MERS are now registered in Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Great Britain and the United States.

Scientists agree that the MERS has been transmitted to humans by camels. British researchers have recognized the same coronavirus in camels and their owners.