Middle East Respiratory Syndrome: MERS-CoV

Coronavirus infection 2012 or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is one of the MERS Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) strains. There is no vaccine or specific drug to treat this disease. The treatment is supportive care.

*Incubation period about 2-14 days

Disease outbreak 

Most of the epidemic is in the Middle East. In 2014, patients with MERS were found in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Qatar, Oman and South Korea.

Symptoms

Patients who are confirmed with coronavirus infection have fever, cough, running nose and sore throat.

• Severe and acute respiratory system infection, high fever over 38 °C, cough, gasping and breathing difficulty. Nearly all these patients have pneumonia.
• Diarrhea
• Some patients experienced kidney failure.
• 50 percent of these patients will die.
• With patients who have conditions causing immunodeficiency or decreased immunity, the symptoms may be different.

Who are at risk?

Patients who have respiratory problem within 14 days after living/ travelling/ looking after a patient with pneumonia in any country  that has an outbreak of MERS.

Prevention

• Avoid contact with anyone who has a cough, sneeze or acute respiratory infection
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially if you are in contact with patient’s body fluids or environment.
• Avoid crowded areas
• Wear a face mask and cover the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
• Standard hygiene practice which includes eating freshly cooked food, and use serving spoon and wash your hands.