Image source: Cynthia Goldsmith/Maureen Metcalfe/Azaibi Tamin. MERS-CoV particles as seen by negative stain electron microscopy.
Virions contain characteristic club-like projections emanating from the
viral membrane. [Source: http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/photos.html]
Respiratory viral
infections with severe fatal consequences have been reported since old ages,
the most recent ones included SARS, Avian flu and influenza pandemics. The most
recent such syndrome is known as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome that is
caused by the Middle East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (MERS –CoV). The first
case infected with this virus was reported back in 2012 in Saudi Arabia, since
then the infection has been reported in multiple countries including Jordan,
Qatar, UAE, Germany, France, UK and Tunisia in addition to KSA where most of
the cases were reported. According to the WHO all cases reported out the Middle
East had some connection whether direct or indirect with the Middle East. In
France, Tunisia, and the UK, limited local transmission has occurred in people
who had not been to the Middle East but who had been in close contact with a
sick traveller recently returned from the Middle East region. The symptoms of
the disease include acute, serious respiratory illness with fever, cough,
shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. Most patients have had
pneumonia. Some of the patients may also experience gastrointestinal symptoms,
including diarrhoea and some have had kidney failure. About half of people
infected with the viruses did not survive. The method of transmission of
infection is not yet identified, but a direct contact with the infected could
lead to transmission.
The
WHO does not warn against travelling to the Middle East; few recommendations
were issued nonetheless.
- Avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections.
- Frequent hand-washing, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment.
- Adhering to food safety and hygiene rules such as avoiding undercooked meats, raw fruits and vegetables unless they have been peeled or unsafe water.
- Avoiding close contact with live farm or wild animals.
Updated
on the outbreak can be found at the WHO website.
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