Doha: A 43-year-old man in Qatar has tested positive for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) in the second confirmed case of the deadly virus in ten days, it was reported on Thursday.
The patient had a fever for a few days and was moved to the emergency department of Hamad General Hospital, the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) said on Wednesday, Qatari media reported.
He was diagnosed with pneumonia and Mers-CoV was subsequently confirmed.
Last week, the SCH reported the first Mers case this year, when a 71-year-old person was found infected with the virus.
The total number of confirmed cases in Qatar until now has reached 11, of which five victims — three Qataris and two expatriates have died. Doctors said on Wednesday that the condition of the first patient had improved.
“He is still under the standardised infection prevention and control measures. All those who came into contact with him have tested negative for Mers and none of them have developed any similar symptoms,” said an SCH statement.
All contacts of the new patient will be monitored for two weeks, the statement added.
The SCH has urged healthcare providers to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases.
