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MERS outbreak picks up pace in Middle East

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus infected more than 200 people in April alone

NUMBERS ON THE RISE  After new case numbers remained low for two years, the MERS outbreak increased rapidly in April. 

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

By Tina Hesman Saey

- More than 2 years ago

Behind the news that the United States has had its first case of the deadly respiratory virus known as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus, or MERS coronavirus, is a far more worrisome trend: Case numbers are exploding on the Arabian Peninsula.