Be Aware of MERS

MERS has become one of topic in health this month. The MERS-CoV is different from the virus that caused the worldwide outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) but they share some similarities.
This virus previously unknown and initially referred to as Novel Coronavirus (NCoV) and was discoverd in September 2012 in Saudi Arabia from a patient died from a severe respiratory infection and kidney failure.

Most cases of MERS have originated from the Arabian Peninsula but several people have become infected in other countries when people who had acquired the infection in the Middle East passed it on the infection in the Middle East passed it on to close contacts within their own families or within a hospital setting.

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What are MERS symptoms

Most patients have had fever and severe respiratory illness with cough and breathing difficulties. Some patients have progress to kidney failure and some also had abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Many of those who have been severely ill have underlying medical conditions. There have been cases with less severe disease and some who did not show any symptoms.
Tests on some asymptomatic people indicated they had been infected previously with MERS-CoV. This suggest some cases go undetected.

How people catching MERS-CoV ?

It is still unknown but there is increasing evidence linking camels to transmission of the disease. Some people have caught their infection from other people who are infected with MERS-CoV. This has only happened in a limited fashion. Such cases have occurred in healthcare workers, family members, patients who shared a hospital room and co-workers.
It is presumed that MERS-CoV spread to them in the same way as other respiratory infections. The sick person expels these when they cough, sneeze or talk.
Others can get the disease via contact with these contaminated droplets.

Is there a test to detect MERS-CoV

The samples are taken from the respiratory tract and tested for the virus. Stool samples are also sometimes used. However these tests may not be routinely available. Blood tests to detect antibodies against MERS have yet to be widely distributed.

How to protect from MERS-CoV

Although it is uncertain how people have been infected, there’s tips to follow :-

– Wash your hands frequently
– Avoid touching your face
– Keep some distance from people who are coughing, sneezing or appear sick
– Avoid unnecessary direct contact with live animals, their waste products and environment.
– Ensure any food or dring for consumption is safe.

Source :- The Star via International SOS