The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) yesterday confirmed the death of a 73-year-old Qatari infected with MERS — Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.

SCH reported the case last Friday.

This is the first death due to MERS among the four new cases reported this year and takes the death toll to six, including four citizens and two expatriates.

The elderly Qatari had been suffering from chronic illnesses and died due to complications related to MERS infection, SCH said.

Fourteen people in Qatar have tested positive for the virus until now. Two citizens and two expatriates have been reported infected since the beginning of this year.

Meanwhile, an expatriate camel farm worker who also was reported infected last week remains admitted at hospital and his condition is stable, SCH said in a statement.

It has asked public and private healthcare facilities to be alert and immediately report any suspected MERS case to Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control Department at SCH through hotline 66740948 or 66740951.

All people with low immunity or chronic diseases have been advised to avoid any close contact with camels and check themselves for fever and respiratory problems and report to health authorities if they develop any of these symptoms.

People with diabetes, renal failure, chronic lung diseases and impaired immune responsiveness (immuno-compromised) are considered to be at high risk of severe disease from MERS infection.

They should avoid contact with camels, drinking raw camel milk or eating meat not properly cooked, as per guidelines issued by World Health Organisation.

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QNE

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