Heard about MERS? The most recent MERS outbreak has raised questions about prevention and symptoms, thus we outline five important details for you to be well informed of this really fatal virus.
1. What is MERS‐CoV?
According to World Health Organization (WHO), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), also knowns as 'Camel Flu' is a viral respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) that was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Over the last two to three years, most of its reported cases have been found in some parts of Middle East, in Saudi Arabia, and recently in South Korea.
2. What are its symptoms?
Though can range from a typical infection to no symptoms at all, usual cases of MERS consist of fever, cough, flu, shortness of breath, pneumonia, diarrhea, and nausea. Respiratory failures are also reported for some severe illnesses, which may require mechanical ventilation and support in a specialized unit. Patients experience weakened immune systems and may even lead to chronic diseases as diabetes, cancer and chronic lung diseases.
3. Where is its origin?
Though the origin of this infection remains unknown, MERS is not a human virus. In fact, MERS-CoV infections among camels have been reported and such may have caused risks to people, too. Those people working in the farms, slaughterhouses, and veterinary clinics have been greatly exposed to contaminated camels, their raw milk, or raw or undercooked meat.
4. How does it spread?
This infection is contagious as it may rapidly spread from one person to another once in close contact. Once someone is exposed to this virus, symptoms may be felt approximately 2 to 14 days after. The hospitals are the most common place where isolation and other precautionary measures are extremely observed. Thus, this also puts the health of medical practitioners and workers who are attending to MERS-CoV patients.
5. How it is prevented or treated?
Sad to say, there is no specific vaccine or any antiviral treatment recommended for MERS-CoV infection. Individuals who seem to be infected with MERS should immediately seek medical care and attention to for further assessment and procedure.
Help yourselves be protected and stay safe from this infection. Proper hand washing is the main key. Encourage everyone in the household to do the same. Make use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers and be sure to have one in your bags at all times.
Another good practice is to wear mask or cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or if somebody does. Work your way to boost your immune system. Learn how to disinfect and sterilize things at home, if possible.
Don't fret. This isn't a global outbreak yet.
Though this fatal infection seems to spread rapidly, health experts agree that the risk for MERS in the United States and in most parts of the world is still very low. As each country takes initiatives and efforts to contain this infection and seize everything under their control.
Prevention is indeed better than cure. Let us stay healthy and work hand-in-hand to fight MERS-CoV.
Stay safe, everyone!
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