The head of CoV said MERS WHO virus found in Saudi Arabia threatens `` the entire world '' Laurie Garrett : It 's alarming that of 27 cases , 49 -- that 's 52 % -- have died . Garrett : Meanwhile , the WHO and world health community watch , anxiously , recalling how swiftly the SARS outbreak that started in southern China in December 2002 exploded a month later across Asia , Canada , and on , eventually hitting 30 countries . The virus related to SARS , and scientists worry it could spread as fast . MERS emerged in a difficult region , she says , and threatens British refugees .
The head of CoV said MERS WHO virus found in Saudi Arabia threatens `` the entire world '' Laurie Garrett : It 's alarming that of 27 cases , 49 -- that 's 52 % -- have died . Garrett : The virus related to SARS , and scientists worry it could spread as fast . MERS emerged in a difficult region , she says , and threatens British refugees .