Manama, May 21 (BNA): A South Korean man has contracted the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (Mers-CoV) during his visit to the Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC) member countries, including Bahrain.

A inquiry launched by the Ministry of Health has confirmed a press report which said that the 68-year old South Korean contracted the virus. In a statement issued today, the ministry said the man is in stable health condition.

“Based on initial details, the possibility that he might have contracted the virus in Bahrain are considered to be very low as no Mers-CoV cases were reported in the Kingdom”, it said.

Meanwhile, World Health Organisation (WHO) said that the man showed symptoms of the virus seven days after returning to his country.

The WHO experts concluded that the disease was not contagious during his stay in Bahrain, dismissing any need to examine people who came into contact with him.

The time between the contraction of the virus and the appearance of symptoms on the patient range from two to fourteen days. No cases of Mers-CoV have been reported since the South Korean man left Bahrain 19 days ago.

The ministry said that it is following up the case in coordination with health officials in South Korea, the GCC states, the World Health Organisation and South Korean Embassy in Bahrain.

The ministry affirmed that it would announce any new details or developments immediately.

AHN