Context:
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently confirmed a case of the potentially fatal Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Abu Dhabi.
Relevance:
GS II: Health
Dimensions of the Article:
- Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
- MERS‐CoV
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS):
- Viral respiratory disease caused by the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV).
- First identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012.
- Part of the coronavirus family, which also includes SARS and COVID-19.
MERS Symptoms:
- Fever, cough, and shortness of breath are typical symptoms.
- Pneumonia may be present, and gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea have been reported.
- Fatality rate approximately 35% based on reported cases.
Prevention and Treatment:
- No vaccine or specific treatment available.
- Supportive treatment based on the patient’s clinical condition.
MERS‐CoV:
- A zoonotic virus transmitted between animals and humans.
- Contracted through direct or indirect contact with infected animals.
- Believed to have originated in bats and transmitted to camels in the past.
- Human-to-human transmission requires close contact, such as providing care to an infected patient.
-Source: Indian Express
