Published: 2013 February 11 16:35:01 (4474 Views)

A new potentially fatal SARS like virus known as novel coronavirus has affected at least 10 people around the world.

It was first identified in September 2012 in a patient who died from a severe respiratory infection in June 2012.

Coronaviruses are causes of the common cold but can also include more severe illness, such as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

Globally, five patients have died as a result of the infectious disease. The HPA said that there have been five cases confirmed in Saudi Arabia resulting in three deaths, while two patients treated in Jordan have both died.

Coronaviruses cause most common colds but can also cause SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome).

In 2003, hundreds of people died after a SARS outbreak in Asia.

Professor John Watson, head of the respiratory diseases department at the HPA, said: 'The HPA is providing advice to healthcare workers to ensure the patient under investigation is being treated appropriately and that healthcare staff who are looking after the patient are protected. Contacts of the case are also being followed up to check on their health.

'Our assessment is that the risk associated with novel coronavirus to the general UK population remains extremely low and the risk to travellers to the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding countries remains very low.

'No travel restrictions are in place but people who develop severe respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath, within 10 days of returning from these countries should seek medical advice and mention which countries they have visited.'

- Daily Mail

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