Kuwait reports its first MERS coronavirus case

KUWAIT, Nov 13 (KUNA) -- The Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday its first case of the deadly MERS coronavirus involving a 47-year-old man who is currently being treated, it was learned here at a press conference.
The affected patient suffers already from diabetes, high blood pressure and has been quarantined for intensive care, said chief of disease control unit at the ministry Dr Musab Al-Saleh.
The ministry is fully capable to treat this disease ever since its emergence in Saudi Arabia last year, he said, noting that the treatment would be done following guidelines set by the World Health Organization and other international organizations.
To avoid this disease and others, he urged the public to exercise maximum hygienic practices such as washing hands with hot water and soap, coughing and sneezing in tissue paper, and keeping one's surroundings always clean.
Kuwait is the fifth Gulf Arab country this virus strain has emerged in since the outbreak began in neighboring Saudi Arabia last year.
The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which can cause coughing, fever and pneumonia, has been reported in people in the Gulf, France, Germany, Italy, Tunisia and Britain. The World Health Organization said in August the number of confirmed infections worldwide in the past year was 102. Almost half of those infected have died. (end) shd.ajs KUNA 131750 Nov 13NNNN