Detection of SARS-like virus in Spain

The Spanish Ministry of Health has just announced the first case of MERS-Cov infection, the deadly virus that causes Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome is thought to be related to SARS.

The virus was discovered in a woman who had just returned from a trip to Saudi Arabia, where MERS-Cov first appeared in 2012.

MERS-Cov virus causes pneumonia with symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath and kidney failure.(Photo: cnn.com)

The News said the patient was being treated at a hospital in the capital Madrid. In the announcement, the Ministry of Health said the patient's condition is gradually stabilizing.

According to the World Health Organization, the MERS-Cov virus has caused 64 deaths out of 150 cases worldwide. The number of people killed mainly in Saudi Arabia. So far, the virus has been discovered in four other European countries including Britain, Germany, France and Italy, mainly on those who have just returned from the Middle East.

MERS virus is thought to be 'related' to SARS, a virus that causes acute respiratory infection syndrome in 2003, causing 8,273 people to be infected, of which 9% died. Like SARS, MERS virus causes pneumonia with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. This virus can cause kidney failure and high mortality rates are a major concern.