Breaking Headline

Deadly SARS-like virus spreads to Tunisia: 3 cases confirmed, 1 death

Published May 21st, 2013 - 11:02 GMT
Coronavirus seen under an electron miscroscope (British Health Protection Agency/ AFP)
Coronavirus seen under an electron miscroscope (British Health Protection Agency/ AFP)

A 66 year-old Tunisian man has died from the coronavirus, following a visit to Saudi Arabia, according to a Health Ministry statement.

The man's two children were also diagnosed with the virus but have since undergone treatment and recovered.

It's the first case of the SARS-like virus in Tunisia and shows how the virus is slowly spreading throughout the Middle East, where 30 cases have been reported, AP reported. In this latest outbreak, 9 people have died in Saudi Arabia alone.

The diabetic Tunisian man had suffered health complaints since he returned from a trip to Saudi Arabia and died of acute respiratory distress at hospital in Monastir.

The coronavirus outbreak has caused 20 deaths globally.

Subscribe

Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content