'Barely existent' healthcare
Researchers have described the cases in Iran as the most worrying for efforts to contain the global spread of the virus and prevent it from becoming a pandemic.
The number of deaths reported in the country, 12, is far more revealing than the number of reported cases, 61.
Deaths are significant as the virus kills only a small proportion of people who are infected and it takes weeks to go from infection to death.
Dr MacDermott said: "It suggests fairly large numbers of people with minimal symptoms, or who are asymptomatic, that aren't being tested or even being identified.
"Who knows how long it has been going on?"
The country has already been linked to cases in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon, Canada, and Oman.
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=92268.0