News outlets report on the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in the Middle East.

Agence France-Presse: MERS death toll hits 81 in Saudi
“The MERS death toll has climbed to 81 in Saudi Arabia, which sacked its health minister as cases of infection by the coronavirus mount in the country…” (4/22).

NPR: Sharp Rise In MERS Cases May Mean The Virus Is Evolving
“There’s growing concern that the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome may have entered a new phase in the way it’s spreading in Saudi Arabia…” (Beaubien, 4/21).

Reuters: Spread of MERS in Saudi Arabia accelerates with 17 new cases
“Saudi Arabia has discovered another 17 cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), as the total number of confirmed infections of the SARS-like disease has jumped by a third in the kingdom in the past week…” (McDowell, 4/22).

Reuters: Saudi Arabia reports 11 new cases of MERS virus, first in Mecca
“Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday it had discovered 11 more cases of the potentially deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), including what appeared to be the first case in the Muslim holy city of Mecca…” (El Dahan, 4/23).