No Mers cases in Singapore: Ministry of Health

No cases of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) have been detected in Singapore so far, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Sunday.

The update came in the wake of the first case of Mers that was detected in the United States. A male healthcare worker in Indiana was found to have contracted the virus after having travelled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Mers, which is considered a deadlier but less-transmissible virus from the same family as the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) virus, was first detected in Saudi Arabia in 2012 where it has killed more than 100 people so far. The disease is often fatal and the latest case in the US has sparked worries over the spread of the virus. There are no vaccines or anti-viral treatments for Mers.

The MOH on Friday advised Haj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to take precautions such as getting vaccinated against influenza and meningitis and avoiding close contact with those who are ill with respiratory infections. The latest updates on the Mers can be found at the ministry's website, www.moh.gov.sg

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.