News outlets report on the status of the U.S. patient diagnosed with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), as well as other developments in the outbreak.

Associated Press: 1st American MERS patient may leave hospital soon
“The first American citizen diagnosed with a mysterious virus from the Middle East is improving daily and could be released soon from an Indiana hospital, although he will be isolated at home, health officials said Monday…” (Coyne, 5/5).

Deutsche Welle: Likely camel-to-human MERS virus has human-to-human transmission risks
“In recent weeks, the number of those infected with the MERS virus has grown. Though almost every case has been confined to the Arabian Peninsula, many are asking if the virus could spread further…” (Heise, 5/5).

IRIN: Alert over spike in Middle East flu virus
“Health authorities around the world are on high alert after a sudden spike in the incidence of a deadly Middle Eastern flu bug that began in Saudi Arabia but has now spread to Asia and the USA…” (Redvers, 5/5).

Reuters: All workers test negative for MERS at Indiana hospital: official
“All workers at the Indiana hospital where the first U.S. case of the often deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome was confirmed last week have tested negative for the virus, officials at Community Hospital in Munster, Indiana, said on Monday…” (Steenhuysen/Plume, 5/5).

Reuters: Saudi Arabia: MERS cases reach more than 400, more than 100 dead
“Eighteen more people in Saudi Arabia have contracted the potentially deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), bringing the number of cases in the kingdom to 414, its health ministry said on Monday, more than a quarter of whom have died…” (Westall, 5/5).