MERS – Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
OK – First it was SARS back in 2003 and now we’re hearing about MERS. What are these four letter words all about? If you have been watching the news then you have probably heard the term MERS but you may not really know the ins and outs of what it is. So, I’m here to share the details that you NEED to know about MERS to keep YOU and YOUR family healthy especially since it’s touched down in the United States.
1) WHAT IS MERS?
MERS is Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. It is called a coronavirus (MERS-CoV), a virus in the same family but slightly different than SARS because it has spikes on it that resemble a crown. MERS was first discovered in September of 2012 and cases are continuing to be identified. Globally, from September 2012 to date, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been informed of more than 250 cases of laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS, and more than 90 deaths from the virus.
2) WHERE DID IT START?
The virus was originally detected in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. Initially cases were linked to countries in the Arabian Peninsula, and confirmed in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Tunisia, Italy, France, United Kingdom (UK), Greece, and Malaysia. The virus was renamed in May of 2013 by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses to the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
3) HOW EASILY IS IT SPREAD?
The presence of MERS is relatively new and as health professionals we are learning more about it everyday. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and WHO believes however, that it is NOT as easy to contract MERS, compared to other viruses like the flu or common cold because it grown deeper in the respiratory tract vs. the nose or upper throat.
We live in a global community and people can travel easily all over the world in a short period of time. Which means, now we have now seen MERS here in the United States. As of May 20th, 3 cases have been confirmed. The first two were linked to healthcare workers who were in Saudi Arabia and they themselves travelled to the US. The most recent third case is of an Illinois businessman who took meetings with an individual who was unknowingly infected. Therefore, this third patient who has reported MERS, did not actually travel to the Middle East himself, but caught the virus here from a person who had recently travelled from the Middle East.
The CDC has reported that they tested 50 people who came in contact with the person who infected the Illinois businessman and no others were affected. Also the Illinois businessman had two separate meetings with the infected person, and perhaps had significant exposure during that time.
4) HOW DID IT GET TO THE US?
The presence of foreign healthcare workers in the Arabian Peninsula may provide the most significant means of spreading MERS outside the Middle East. Similar to SARS many years ago, healthcare workers who provide care to sick people can become infected and then travel overseas and infect people in the US. Therefore, it’s extremely important to identify people with the virus and keep them from spreading it to others.
5) WE’VE BEEN TOLD THE SITUATION IS “SERIOUS” BY THE CDC, HOW SERIOUS IS IT? HOW WORRIED SHOULD WE BE?
To date, the CDC and WHO have said that MERS is not a serious concern for public health at this time. What IS important is for every individual to be aware of how the virus is transmitted so you know how to prevent it.
In preparation of US cases, in 2013 the CDC developed and distributed a test kit for MERS to state health departments. Also for each suspected or confirmed case the CDC assigns people to track down contacts of each patient and test them as well.
6). WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MERS?
There is a wide range of symptoms of MERS, which are similar to that of any other common cold or flu virus:
- Fever more than 100.4°F
- Cough
- Chills and body aches
- Headache
- Non-productive cough
- Shortness of breath
Other symptoms can include:
- Sore throat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain.
If you or a loved one has any of those symptoms AND travelled from countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula OR has had close contact with a person who has travelled to the Arabian Peninsula and developed fever and a respiratory illness within 14 days after traveling immediately call your doctor or go to the Emergency Room.
7) IS THERE A TREATMENT OR VACCINATION FOR MERS?
At this time there is no specific treatment for MERS. Treatment is supportive, just as it would be if you were diagnosed with a common cold or the flu:
- Fluids
- Rest
- Stay away from people who are sick
- Cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze.
8) HOW CAN I PROECT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY FROM MERS?
The MERS virus – which has similar symptoms to common upper respiratory tract infections such as influenza and the common cold can be prevented in much the same way as any other virus.
- Hand hygiene is the most important way to prevent the spread of the virus. Wash with soap and water for 60 seconds or use an alcohol –based hand gel to clean hands.Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Or you can cough into your sleeve as a way to reduce exposure of virus into your hands. This is important because every time you cough droplets can spread up to 6 feet.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unclean unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with sick people. Do not share drinks, eating utensils, or kiss sick people.
- As often as needed disinfect surfaces that sick people come in contact with, such as doorknobs, kitchen and bathroom surfaces, and toys.
- If you are ill DO NOT go to work and avoid crowded places such as malls and grocery stores.
Health officials at the CDC and WHO have said that the MERS virus is not as contagious as the flu or common cold but awareness is key to prevention.
And remember if you or a loved one has travelled to the Middle East or come into contact with someone who has travelled to the Middle East and within 14 days of returning have fever with cough or shortness of breath seek immediate medical care. Call ahead to your doctor and let them know your symptoms and also that you have recently travelled so they can take appropriate prevention measures at the office.
Wishing you good health.
Dr. V
(Photo Credit on home page from Reuters)