Pakistan reports first case of camel-transmitted syndrome

The first patient diagnosed with the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus has been discharged from the hospital after a month-long treatment.

A 55-year-old man, who returned from Saudi Arabia a month ago, was initially admitted to a private hospital in Punjab's Jehlum due to the fear of a cardiac arrest. 

However, the authorities detected the MERS-Cov the next day, and he was transferred to Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi, where he received treatment in the intensive care unit.

The Pakistani health authorities initially kept the case confidential, even from their medical staff, and only revealed it after his treatment.

The patient, a tailor who had been working in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, arrived in Pakistan on September 3 and was admitted to the hospital the following day.

"At least 40 people who came into contact with him tested negative," said an official.

The virus, which is transmitted from camels, first broke out in 2012.

According to the US National Institute of Health, "A high percentage of camel handlers in Saudi Arabia are seropositive for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus."

The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed on October 2 that there were five cases of the virus reported in KSA so far this year.