Saudi Arabia closes emergency ward as MERS infections soar before Hajj

Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:INO) announced its DNA vaccine targeting the virulent Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) induced 100% protection from a live virus challenge in a preclinical study. Patient 80 was still tested positive for the MERS virus as the 35-year-old suffered from malignant lymphoma, which weakens the immunity system.

The vaccine also generated potentially protective antibodies in blood from camels, believed to be the source of MERS transmission in the Middle East.

One case, that of a 35-year-old man who had an underlying health condition, proved fatal.

The others eight are all adults who range in age from 55 to 98.

According to the MOH, 48 people are still being treated, and three are in home isolation. Of them, 400 have succumbed to the deadly infection.

The latest deaths occurred in Riyadh, and the three victims were all Saudis aged between 65 and 86, the health ministry said.

Thursday’s statement says the ward will remain closed for two weeks and that the patients are being transferred to other hospitals.

There was no immediate explanation for the difference in the figures, but the ward closure at KAMC-R was confirmed to AFP by a hospital employee.

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Taking into account of the recent developments in Riyadh Al-Mirghalani said the Central Command Center (CCC) of the MOH has intensified its preventive measures in the Riyadh region. The Hajj starts September 25 in Saudi Arabia.

“Four individuals had come in contact with the individual that previously had gotten back from Saudi Arabia”. She said the characteristics of nosocomial outbreaks in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere are unfortunately similar.

Two more people, both from Riyadh, have recovered from their infections over the past few days, the MOH said. And it can stop MRES to become an outbreak.