LOC16:29
13:29 GMT
RIYADH, Aug 22 (KUNA) -- A Saudi-American research team managed to isolate
a new strand of the coronavirus, said the Saudi Health Ministry here Thursday.
A statement by the ministry indicated that 732 samples were taken from 96
live-bats representing seven different spices, adding that one of the samples
showed a 100 percent compatibility with the new strand of coronavirus, known
as the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
The study also showed various forms of the virus in 28 percent of the
gathered samples, said the ministry which noted that the results pointed out
that bats, which are carriers of several diseases including SARS, are also
suspects of spreading the infamous (MERS-CoV).
There was a possibility that other animals could be carrying the disease,
said the statement, adding that more tests were needed to determine if the new
strand of the coronavirus was in other animals.
Two cases of the coronavirus were announced last Monday by the Saudi health
authorities. There are 76 cases of which 39 people were pronounced dead. (end)
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KUNA 221629 Aug 13NNNN