New MERS Infection Reported in Qatar

Second case of the MERS coronavirus in the Gulf state has been confirmed by the health authorities. The Qatari patient suffers from asthma and has been in contact with another patient infected with MERS.

He is "in a critical condition and is under intensive care," the Supreme Health Council said in a statement late Monday.

Coronavirus MERS Kills 41 in Saudi Arabia
The government revealed that a Saudi man has died of the coronavirus MERS, bringing the kingdom's death toll from the SARS-like virus to 41, while two new cases were registered.

On August 20, the authorities announced the first infection in the Gulf state of a 59-year-old Qatari.

Another Qatari national with the infection died in a London hospital on June 28.

The virus has killed 47 people worldwide since September, 41 of them in Saudi Arabia which neighbours Qatar.

Respiratory Diseases - Diseases of the Human Respiratory System
Respiratory diseases affect any part of the respiratory system. Some of the lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can lead to respiratory failure.

MERS is considered a cousin of the SARS virus that erupted in Asia in 2003 and infected 8,273 people, nine percent of whom died.

Like SARS, it is thought to have jumped from animals to humans, and shares the former's flu-like symptoms -- but differs by causing kidney failure.

Quiz on Anti-Asthma Medications
Anti-asthma medications include quick relief and long-term medications. Test your knowledge on anti-asthma medication by taking this quiz.

Researchers have pointed to the Arabian camel, or dromedary, as a possible host of the virus.

Scientists studying the new virus have found older patients, men and people with underlying medical conditions are those particularly at risk.

The Lungs
The lungs are our organs of respiration. It is within these, that exchange of gases takes place.

Source-AFP