The number of laboratory-confirmed cases of MDR-TB around the world has gone from 12, 000 in 2005 to 62, 000 in 2011.

BBC: 'Visionary' leadership needed on TB

Mr. Hartl said the Saudi government is reporting laboratory-confirmed cases of the coronavirus to the WHO, in compliance with international health regulations.

WSJ: Virus's Toll in Saudi Arabia Raises Fears of Faster Spread

The figure is a sharp increase from previous counts of laboratory-confirmed cases.

CNN: H1N1 death toll estimated at 3,900 in U.S.

There have been 11 laboratory-confirmed cases of the H7N9 virus, a form of avian flu which had not been seen before in humans.

BBC: WHO confirms five deaths from China bird flu

The state stopped counting laboratory-confirmed cases at 324: "But that is just a fraction of what we think is going on, " she said.

CNN: Swine flu goes to college

As of Sunday, the WHO had been informed of 34 laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with nCoV worldwide since last September, including 18 deaths, it said.

CNN: Saudi Arabia reports 4 new cases of dangerous virus