There is a novel SARS-like Coronavirus stalking the Middle East. There have been 10 identified cases since Summer 2012, five of them fatal. So-far, there have been 5 cases in Saudi Arabia, 2 in Jordan, 2 in the UK (one of them Qatari) and 1 in Germany, also someone from Qatar. It seems to spread from person to person, but with difficulty. Scientists think the virus comes from bats. There is some concern that a mutation might occur that makes the virus much more communicable. One to keep an eye on. You know, if you don't have something more immediate to worry about and you are tired of worrying about global warming and asteroids.
One odd thing is that the news outlet covering the outbreak most often is... The Toronto Star. Not normally known for hard hitting science reporting. But they have featured every new development on their (web) front page. Way to go Star!
