Bangalore: MERS scare swirls up in India, as Karnataka health officials and health minister Mr U T Khader confirmed a suspected case of MERS infection in Mangalore, on Tuesday. The victim, a 63- year old woman had been quarantined in a private hospital. Authorities are awaiting the blood and sputum sample reports sent to National Institute of Biologicals (NIB), Pune for inspection.

Following a surge in cases in Saudi Arabia, screening of passengers traveling from the Middle East had begun in airports across the country. The woman had gone to Saudi Arabia on May 11 and returned on May 19, and was found coughing at the airport. She was then advised medical help and MERS checkup. On May 22, she was admitted to the private hospital complaining of fever and cough. She is currently under medical supervision.

Health officials await the NIB report for a confirmed conclusive assessment on the case. Mr Khader, however assured that there was no need to sound any alert, nor was there a need to coordinate with health authorities of neighboring states. All the passengers travelling from West Asia are screened for MERS at both the airports.