New SARS-Like Virus Discovered in Arabia as Hajj Approaches
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| Corona Virus, electron micrograph, Wikipedia |
The most dangerous infectious diseases are those that have both high mortality and morbidity rates—that is, they are both highly infectious and deadly. The most infectious diseases are generally spread easily from person to person through the air (e.g., common cold, influenza) and their proliferation is facilitated by crowded living conditions, as exist in slums and pilgrimages, like the annual Hajj, which will soon be under way in Saudi Arabia.
It is therefore alarming that a new SARS-like virus has turned up in Saudi Arabia. It has already killed at least one resident and left a visitor from Qatar in critical condition, according to the