Health officials sounded alarm bells about the new Middle Eastern virus yesterday amid concern it is proving infectious between humans.
Called simply a "novel coronavirus", it has been blamed for 18 deaths and another 16 illnesses in the last six months.
But a spate of illnesses in a Saudi Arabian clinic and a re-emergence of the virus in France led the World Health Organisation to admit its growing concern. British hospitals have also treated infected patients.
Speaking in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dr Keiji Fukuda, of WHO, called for increased awareness about the virus. He suggested it was possible cases in some Middle Eastern countries might not have been identified.
He said: "Of most concern, however, is the fact that the different clusters seen in multiple countries increasingly support the hypothesis that when there is close contact this novel coronavirus can transmit from person-to-person."
Dr Fukuda said most victims of the virus were elderly men, often with other medical conditions.
He said the virus should not described as a SARS virus, although it is from the same family.
He added: "This pattern of person-to-person transmission has remained limited to some small clusters and so far, there is no evidence that this virus has the capacity to sustain generalise transmission in communities."
Dr Fukuda said: "Countries also need to assess their level of preparedness and readiness if this virus should spread and to intensify strengthening the core capacities identified in the International Health Regulations if they are not adequate."
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