Health Protection Agency confirms third case of Sars-like virus

One of the two infected relatives of the UK patient who contacted a Sars-like virus in the Middle East died on Sunday morning

12:09 20 February 2013

 

According to health experts, there’s another relative of an unnamed UK patient, who recently contracted Sars-like virus,who became infected with the disease. This brings the total number of victims to three within the family. 

The Health Protection Agency revealed on Monday that the first patient recently travelled to Pakistan and the Middle East. The patient is now receiving treatment at Manchester hospital in the north of England. 

 

On Wednesday, 19th February, 2013, it was confirmed that two relatives of the first patient who has not travelled recently became infected. One of the patients died while being treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. 

 

The hospital said that the patient was already receiving treatment for a long-term, complex health condition even before he was infected with the Sars-like virus. 

 

They said: “The patient was already an outpatient at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), undergoing treatment for a long-term, complex unrelated health condition.”

 

Adding: “The patient was immuno-compromised and is believed to have contracted the virus from a relative who is being treated for the condition in a Manchester hospital.”

 

At this time, there are 12 confirmed cases worldwide; four have been British and reportedly five have died as a result of the virus.