Deadly MERS virus in UK hospital

A MAN has been taken to hospital suffering from the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus.

Public Health England said he was initially admitted in Leeds but has been transferred to an infectious disease centre at the Royal Liverpool Hospital.

It is believed the patient contracted the MERS virus in the Middle East before flying here. Officials are trying to contact passengers who were on the same plane amid fears they may also be infected.

The virus kills a third of those it strikes. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. This is the fifth case of MERS in the UK since 2012.