MIDDLE EAST

RESPIRATORY
SYNDROME
CORONAVIRUS
(MERS-CoV)

WHAT IS MERS?

MERS-CoV belongs to the coronavirus family. Human

coronaviruses were first classified in the mid 1960s. The
coronavirus subgroups are referred to as alpha, beta,
gamma and delta. There are currently six coronaviruses
that can affect humans including:
Alpha coronaviruses

Human coronavirus 229E

Human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63, New Haven
coronavirus).
Beta coronaviruses

Human coronavirus OC43

Human coronavirus HKU1
SARS-CoV
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

WHAT CAUSES MERS?

The cause of MERS-CoV is not yet fully

understood. Although not confirmed, the
infection could be primarily zoonotic in
nature, with limited human-to-human
transmission. It is thought mammals play a
role in the transmission of the virus - bats
and camels remaining a high contender.

In addition to humans, strains of MERS-CoV have

been identified in:
Camels in Qatar, Egypt and Saudi Arabia
A bat in Saudi Arabia.

SYMPTOMS OF MERS

The most common symptoms of MERS are:

Fever100 degrees F or higher

Cough
Breathing difficulties
Chills
Chest pain
Body aches
Sore throat
Malaise - a general feeling of being unwell
Headache
Diarrhea
Nausea/Vomiting
Runny nose
Renal (kidney) failure
Pneumonia.

Doctors describe it as flu-like illness with

signs and symptoms of pneumonia. Early
reports described symptoms as similar to
those found in SARS-CoV (
severe acute respiratory syndrome)
cases. However, SARS infections did not
cause renal failure, unlike MERS-CoV.

Sufferers of MERS-CoV will generally

develop severe acute respiratory illness.
Some people have reported mild respiratory
illness with others showing no symptoms.

WHO IS AT RISK?
The following groups of people are more
susceptible to MERS-CoV infections and
complications:
Patients with chronic diseases, such asdiabetes,
chronic lung disease and heart conditions
The elderly
Organ transplant recipients who are on
immunosuppressive medications
Other patients whose immune systems are weak,
such ascancerpatients undergoing treatment.

TEST AND DIAGNOSIS

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
test is used to detect and diagnose
infectious disease and can confirm positive
cases of MERS-CoV by means of a sample
from the patient's respiratory tract.
A blood test can determine if an individual
has previously been infected, by testing for
MERS-CoV antibodies.

TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

According to the US Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
and WHO (World Health Organization),
there are no specific treatments for
patients who become ill with MERS-CoV
infection.

Travel advice has been provided

to reduce the risk of MERS-CoV
infection amongst travelers,
which includes information such
as:
There is an increased chance of illness for those
travelers with pre-existing chronic conditions
There is an increased chance of illness for
travelers suffering fromfluand traveller's diarrhea
Frequent hand-washing is advised with soap and
water
Avoid undercooked meat or food prepared under
unhygienic conditions

Ensure fruit and vegetables are properly

washed before consumption
If a traveller develops acute respiratory illness
with fever, they should minimize close contact
with others, wear a medical mask, sneeze into
a sleeve, flexed elbow or tissue (making sure
it is disposed of properly after use)
If during 14 days after returning from travel
acute respiratory illness with fever develops;
medical attention should be sought
immediately
All cases should be reported to the local
health authorities; they monitor for MERS-CoV.

Most confirmed cases of MERS-CoV have displayed symptoms of severe acute respiratory illness, 36% of these patients have died.

While MERS-CoV is contagious, the

virus does not appear to pass between
humans without close contact, for
example, caring for a patient without
protective precaution. Therefore,
guidance should be pursued from a
health care professional if symptoms
materialize.