| Middle East respiratory syndrome | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Camel flu[1] |
 | |
| MERS-CoV virions | |
| Specialty | Infectious disease |
| Symptoms | Fever, cough, shortness of breath[2] |
| Usual onset | 2 to 14 days post exposure[3] |
| Duration | 2012-2020[4] |
| Causes | MERS-coronavirus (MERS-CoV)[2] |
| Risk factors | Contact with camels and camel products[2] |
| Diagnostic method | rRT-PCR testing[5] |
| Prevention | Hand washing, avoiding contact with camels and camel products[6] |
| Treatment | Symptomatic and supportive[2] |
| Frequency | 2519 cases (as January 2020)[4] |
| Deaths | 866 (35%)[4] |
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), also known as camel flu,[1] is a viral respiratory infection caused by the MERS-coronavirus (MERS-CoV).[2] Symptoms may range from none, to mild, to severe.[7][2] Typical symptoms include fever, cough, diarrhea, and shortness of breath.[2] The disease is typically more severe in those with other health problems.[2][7]
MERS-CoV is a coronavirus believed to be originally from bats.[2] However, humans are typically infected from camels, either during direct contact or indirectly.[2] Spread between humans typically requires close contact with an infected person.[2] Its spread is uncommon outside of hospitals.[7] Thus, its risk to the global population is currently deemed to be fairly low.[7] Diagnosis is by rRT-PCR testing of blood and respiratory samples.[5]
As of 2020[update] there is no specific vaccine or treatment for the disease,[3] but a number are being developed.[2] The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that those who come in contact with camels wash their hands and not touch sick camels.[2] They also recommend that camel-based food products be appropriately cooked.[2] Treatments that help with the symptoms and support body functioning may be used.[2]
The first identified case occurred in 2012 in Saudi Arabia and most cases have occurred in the Arabian Peninsula.[2][7] About 2,500 cases have been reported as of January 2020.[4] About 35% of those who are diagnosed with the disease die from it.[2] Larger outbreaks have occurred in South Korea in 2015 and in Saudi Arabia in 2018.[8][2]
References edit
- ^ a b Parry, Richard Lloyd (10 June 2015). "Travel alert after eighth camel flu death". The Times. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|name-list-format=ignored (|name-list-style=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)". www.who.int. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- ^ a b "MERS Clinical Features". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d "MERS outbreaks". www.emro.who.int. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- ^ a b "MERS-CoV | Interim Guidelines for Clinical Specimens from PUI | CDC". www.cdc.gov. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ "Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)". nhs.uk. 23 August 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Zumla A, Hui DS, Perlman S (September 2015). "Middle East respiratory syndrome". Lancet. 386 (9997): 995–1007. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60454-8. PMC 4721578. PMID 26049252.
- ^ "Infectious disease outbreaks reported in the Eastern Mediterranean Region in 2018 | News | Epidemic and pandemic diseases". www.emro.who.int. Retrieved 15 April 2020.