New to humans: MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome)

MERS is a respiratory disease accompanied by inimical health conditions like high fever, respiratory illness, cough and shortness of breath. MERS is a new type of disease to humans and was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012, and hence named Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). This disease can affect anyone from any age group. About 36% of the people suffering from MERS have been reported dead.

MERS is caused by a family of viruses called corona virus which contains variety of viruses ranging from their capability to stimulate common cold to deadly MERS in humans. This disease is often called atypical pneumonia since it is not caused by a usual bacteria or viruses from the group of corona viruses. The disease is transferred by close contact with an infected person. MERS is reported to emerge in middle east part of the world in the countries like Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE. The report published by World Health Organization (WHO) on June of 2015, has stated that the number of people infected from MERS, after the September of 2012,  is about 1321 in which about 466 have died in minimum. 

Also, according to WHO, Camel is the source of storing maximum number of these types of viruses but the role of camel and the mechanism of transmission of these viruses from camel to a human is still unclear.

Symptoms of MERS:

• fever
• cough
• runny nose
• shortness of breath
• some people can also suffer from nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pneumonia and develop kidney failure

People who have weak immunity system, and previously been diagnosed with heart diseases, diabetes, chronic lungs infections and kidney diseases are at greater risk of being infected more seriously. To prevent the disease, it is requested to consult your physician as soon as possible if you find yourself developing the symptoms listed above, especially if you are travelling or staying in the countries in middle east of the world. 

The vaccines for treatment of MERS have not yet been discovered but medical care is provided to lessen the symptoms and relieve the signs. So, it is very important to take account on the precautions to protect yourself against the disease.

• Avoid the habit of touching your eyes, nose, mouth with unwashed hands because it is the great source of viruses and bacteria entering your body.
• Frequently wash your hands with soap and clean water.
• Avoid close contact, through any ways with the sick person
• For the citizens from outside the middle east regions, pay maximum attention in different issues including food and beverage consumption while travelling to these areas.