Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
*What is MERS?
 A severe lung infection
 First identified in 2012 in Saudi Arabia and Jordan
 Caused by the MERS Coronavirus (MERS CoV), an animal
virus found in dromedary (single-humped) camels, able to
infect humans
 Adults are more commonly infected
 • Males over 60 years with underlying conditions, such as
diabetes or kidney failure, are at greater risk of severe
illness and death.
 Around 35% of people with proven cases of MERS die
* Epidemiological curve : Global cases since 2012
*Who is at highest risk of contracting MERS?
Current risk of international spread:
New cases of MERS-CoV infection are
expected in the Middle East
individuals
acquiring
infection
from an
animal source
while visiting
farms or
markets
raw
dromedary
products , e.g.
milk, urine
Cases from a human source (possibly in a health
care setting for planned or emergency treatment)
Zoonotic
transmissio
n will
continue to
occur
Limited
community
transmissio
n within
households
potentially
large
hospitalass
ociated
outbreaks
*Symptoms of MERS includes:
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zvayGjpP6s
Risks factors of Developing MERSCoV
* People that are at high-risk of
developing MERS-CoV are :
* Elderly people
* Infants/Children
* People with immune system problems
* Chronic Heart, lung and Kidney problem
* Pregnant women
* People with Diabetes
* People that have travelled to places that
have been confirmed positive for MERSCoV.
*Modes of Transmission
* The Epidemiological data suggest multiple Zoonotic
transmissions from animal reservoir leading to Humans
* Bats to humans
* Camels to Humans
* Limited secondary transmission from Human to human
* Airborne, droplets and direct contact.
*Prevention of MERS
Source: Dreams time illustration.
*Implications for Public health
strategies
* Public health Agencies across the world have
developed infection prevention and control guides
for acute care setting to protect health care workers.
* Extra travel precaution especially to those travelling
to the Middle eastern countries.
* Vaccine research in process.
*Conclusion
* MERS-CoV is a coronavirus that is
rare and can cause serious illness.
* Clear seasonality of the disease has
been established.
* Preventive measures should be
followed adversely to prevent the
spread of the disease.
References
•
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zvayGjpP6s
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-illustration-mers-covprevention-sign-illustrated-medical-procedures-stickfigures-to-prevent-virus-spread-image55714202