World

Two cases of Sars-like virus in Gulf

23:20 pm on 24 September 2012

A new respiratory illness similar to the Sars virus that spread globally in 2002 and killed hundreds of people has been identified in a man who is being treated in Britain.

The 49-year-old man, who was transferred to a London hospital by air ambulance from Qatar, is the second person confirmed with the coronavirus, the BBC reports.

The first case was a patient in Saudi Arabia who has since died.

Officials are still determining what threat the new virus may pose.

The World Health Organization has not recommended any travel restrictions.