MERS is the abbreviation for “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome”. It belongs to the strain of Coronavirus. This virus was first discovered in the Middle East in 2012. The symptoms vary widely: from a common cold to very serious breathing problems resulting in death. Most patients occur in the Arabian Peninsula, namely Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. In 2015, the number of infected people was still very small. One person has already been infected in the Netherlands and not a single person in Belgium (June 2015).
Transmission of the MERS virus
The MERS coronavirus is of animal origin. Research has shown that the virus is transmitted from camels to humans. Transmission from human to human is almost impossible. However, there have already been some cases in the United Kingdom, France and Italy where transmission was more than likely human-to-human. Very close contact between the two people then makes virus transmission possible. If a transmission had occurred, it would occur in very weakened persons. The Coronavirus can only survive outside the human body for twenty-four hours. In many cases the virus is destroyed by cleaning products. It is also quite possible that an infected person returns from the Arabian Peninsula and spreads the disease in another country.
Symptoms
Anyone who is infected with the Coronavirus will soon experience a number of well-known symptoms such as fever, coughing, shortness of breath, etc. Severe breathing problems are also a possible symptom. These breathing problems can lead to severe pneumonia or kidney failure. With these symptoms it is more than appropriate to be admitted to hospital. The MERS infection can also go away without you really noticing it. It depends from person to person. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 35% of infected people die.
Treatment of the MERS virus
There is currently no vaccine to combat the virus. There are medicines to combat its symptoms. Researchers in laboratories are working hard to find a vaccine against the MERS virus. Four medications would qualify for this. This would involve the antipsychotic Chloropromazine, the malaria drug Chloroquine, the HIV inhibitor Lopinavir or the anti-diarrheal drug Loperamide. Of course, a lot of testing still needs to be done before it could be administered to people.
Prevention
Specialists have confirmed that the virus originated in the camel. How people actually become infected is still under further investigation. Some general preventive guidelines given are to wash hands regularly and hold your hand over your mouth when coughing and sneezing. Contact with animals or animal waste should be avoided. It is also best to avoid people who may be thought to be infected. These guidelines are extremely important if the virus is present in your immediate environment. These guidelines can certainly be followed closely in the areas around and on the Arabian Peninsula.
What if you travel to the Middle East?
There is no need to worry much about traveling to the Middle East. Of course you must observe the preventive measures. Despite everything, the disease remains very limited. Travelers who go to the Middle East and who return with fever or breathing problems should visit a doctor as soon as possible.
Is the MERS virus similar to SARS?
MERS and SARS are both Coronaviruses. SARS was the dangerous lung virus that killed 800 people in one year in Asia in 2005. Yet MERS and SARS are not the same and have different properties.
