New Virus Related To SARS And Common Cold Found In Middle East
LONDON (CBSMiami) – A previously unknown virus has appeared in both Saudi Arabia and in a traveler who recently returned from the country. The virus killed one and has left the other in intensive care in London, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Officially, the World Health Organization called the disease a "novel coronavirus." Coronaviruses include multiple viruses including the common cold and SARS, according to the WHO. SARS killed hundreds of people in Asia during a 2003 epidemic.
British officials informed the World Health Organization over the weekend of the new virus in a man that had recently been sent to London for treatment from Qatar. The patient has since suffered renal failure.
Health officials don't know much about the new virus and the WHO said it's "in the process of obtaining further information to determine the public health implications of the two confirmed cases." However, the WHO is not recommending any travel restrictions at this time.
