The Centre for Health Protection announced today it is monitoring eight Middle East Respiratory Syndrome cases in Saudi Arabia, including one death.
The patients are seven men and one women aged 27 to 76. One had contact with a confirmed case, one had indirect contact with camels, and two had direct contact with camels and drank raw camel milk.
So far 1,800 MERS cases have been reported to the World Health Organisation, including at least 643 deaths.
Travel agents organising tours to the Middle East are advised to avoid arranging camel rides and activities involving the animals, which can increase the risk of infection.
