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Saudi Silence on Deadly MERS Virus Outbreak Frustrates World Health Experts
(Scientific American) Helen Branswell - Middle East respiratory syndrome, a cousin of SARS, has sparked global concern for its pandemic potential, but Saudi Arabia has yet to release information that could help protect the rest of the world. The Muslim month of fasting, Ramadan, begins July 9 and could draw as many as two million people from around the globe to the holy sites of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is currently waging battle with MERS, yet it has released only the barest of details that scientists or public health officials could use to try to prevent its spread. Since the start of May there have been 38 new cases worldwide - 31 of them in Saudi Arabia - and 20 of the victims have died. MERS triggers severe pneumonia and kidney failure in some cases.