Health risk from new coronavirus remains low: MOH

Singapore's Ministry of Health says the health risk from the new coronavirus reported by the World Health Organisation on 23rd September is low. 

It says as of 25th September 2012, the WHO has not received any reports of additional probable or confirmed cases linked to the virus. 

There's also no evidence of the disease spreading to the family members and healthcare workers in contact with the two confirmed cases that the WHO had reported earlier. 

The health ministry also says there are currently no cases of the virus reported in Singapore. 

But it urges travellers returning from Saudi Arabia and Qatar to monitor their health. 

It says they should look out for signs and symptoms of respiratory illness such as fever, cough and breathlessness. 

They are to seek early medical attention if they are ill with such symptoms. 

Individuals should also inform their doctors of their travel history, should they develop the symptoms after returning to Singapore. 

On 23rd September, the WHO issued a global alert on two cases of severe respiratory illness due to infection with a new coronavirus. 

The first case was a 60-year-old male national from Saudi Arabia who died in July 2012. 

The second case is a 49-year-old male Qatari National who had visited Saudi Arabia shortly before his illness. 

The second patient is currently receiving treatment for severe respiratory illness in the UK.