RIYADH – The rate of infection of a deadly virus in Saudi Arabia has slowed since mid May and Monday was the first day free of new cases in six weeks, figures released by the Health Ministry showed. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) was discovered in Saudi Arabia two years ago and has since infected 562 people in the Kingdom, killing 179 of them. It can cause flu-like symptoms, pneumonia and organ failure in some. In the first two weeks of the month, the daily number of new cases in Saudi Arabia averaged nearly 11, but since May 14 the average number of new confirmed infections has been a little over four a day, the figures show. Late on Monday the ministry reported its first day free of new confirmed infections since April 13. The number of new patients had soared across Saudi Arabia, with the total number of confirmed cases jumping to 511 on May 14 from the 173 confirmed at the end of March. The UAE Ministry of Health also announced on Monday that all hospitals in the UAE were free from MERS cases. Abu Dhabi Health Authority announced that all known positive MERS cases have cleared the virus. – Agencies
