‘World threat’ warning after deaths from virus

Experts raised concerns that the disease is “emerging faster than our understanding”.

The WHO says that since September last year there have been 49 laboratory confirmed cases across eight countries which have resulted in 27 deaths, including two people in the UK. A 65-year-old man who is thought to have contracted the virus in Dubai, died on Tuesday in a hospital in Lille, northern France.

Officials from the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia have confirmed a further five cases.

Earlier this week, WHO’s director general said that Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, or MERS-CoV, is her “greatest concern”.

Addressing the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Dr Margaret Chan said “alarm bells” were ringing. “Looking at the overall global situation, my greatest concern right now is the novel coronavirus.

“We understand too little about this virus when viewed against the magnitude of its potential threat.

“Any new disease that is emerging faster than our understanding is never under control.”