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This infectious virus was first identified in 2012 in Saudi Arabia
Photo Credits: NPR, ECDC
Name
MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus)
Transmission
- A viral respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus
- Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that can cause a variety of diseases ranging from a cold to SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)
- The coronavirus was first discovered in Saudi Arabia in 2012
- The virus spreads primarily from animals to people but it can also spread from person to person:
- It is not yet fully understood how people become infected from animals but it is suspected that it happens through direct or indirect contact with infected dromedary camels in the Middle East
- It is not clear which other animals can spread the virus
- The virus does not appear to pass easily from person to person unless there is very close contact (ex: caring for a sick person) so the majority of these cases happen in health care settings
- It is not yet fully understood how people become infected from animals but it is suspected that it happens through direct or indirect contact with infected dromedary camels in the Middle East
Geography
Worldwide, in 27 countries across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas
- Most cases have been in Saudi Arabia
Incubation Period
2 – 14 days
Signs and Symptoms
Some infected people do not have any symptoms but general symptoms include:
- Fever
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Pneumonia
- Cough
- Diarrhea
Diagnosis
- It can be difficult to diagnose MERS-CoV because the early symptoms are non-specific
Treatment
- There is no vaccine or specific treatment
- Treatment is supportive and based on the patient’s clinical condition and symptoms
Prognosis
- The virus is more severe in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with such chronic diseases as diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease
- When MERS-CoV is severe, it can cause respiratory failure which will require mechanical ventilation in an intensive‐care unit
- Other complications include organ failure (especially the kidneys) and septic shock
- About 36% of people with the virus have died
Prevention: What Can You Do?
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water and maintain good hygiene, especially if you are in the Middle East and you visit farms, markets, barns, or other places where animals are present
MERS-CoV In the News
- Dozens of people are quarantined in Bangkok to prevent the spread of the deadly MERS virus
- CDC warns of MERS following outbreak
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/
http://www.who.int/emergencies/mers-cov/en/