Global InformationMERS information
| Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Camel flu |
 | |
| MERS-CoV virions | |
| Specialty | Infectious disease |
| Symptoms | Fever, cough, shortness of breath[1] |
| Usual onset | 2 to 14 days post exposure[2] |
| Duration | 2012–2020[3] |
| Causes | MERS-coronavirus (MERS-CoV)[1] |
| Risk factors | Contact with camels and camel products[1] |
| Diagnostic method | rRT-PCR testing[4] |
| Prevention | Hand washing, avoiding contact with camels and camel products[5] |
| Treatment | Symptomatic and supportive[1] |
| Prognosis | 34.4% risk of death (all countries) |
| Frequency | 2578 cases (as of October 2021)[3] |
| Deaths | 888[3] |
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory infection caused by Middle East respiratory syndrome–related coronavirus (MERS-CoV).[1] Symptoms may range from none, to mild, to severe depending on age and risk level.[6][1] Typical symptoms include fever, cough, diarrhea, and shortness of breath.[1] The disease is typically more severe in those with other health problems.[1][6]
The first case was identified in June 2012 by Egyptian physician Ali Mohamed Zaki at the Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and most cases have occurred in the Arabian Peninsula.[1][6] Over 2,600 cases have been reported as of January 2021, including 45 cases in the year 2020.[3] About 35% of those who are diagnosed with the disease die from it.[1] Larger outbreaks have occurred in South Korea in 2015 and in Saudi Arabia in 2018.[7][1]
MERS-CoV is a virus in the coronavirus family believed to be originally from bats.[1] However, humans are typically infected from camels, either during direct contact or indirectly through respiratory droplets.[1] Spread between humans typically requires close contact with an infected person.[1] Its spread is uncommon outside of hospitals.[6] Thus, its risk to the global population is currently deemed to be significantly low.[6] Diagnosis is by rRT-PCR testing of blood and respiratory samples.[4]
As of 2021[update], there is no specific vaccine or treatment for the disease,[2] but a number are being developed.[1] The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that those who come in contact with camels wash their hands and not touch sick camels.[1] They also recommend that camel-based food products be appropriately cooked.[1] Treatments that help with the symptoms and support body functioning may be used.[1]
Previous infection with MERS can confer cross-reactive immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and provide partial protection against COVID-19.[8] However, co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 and MERS is possible and could lead to a recombination event.[9]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)". www.who.int. Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- ^ a b "MERS Clinical Features". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2 August 2019. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d "MERS outbreaks". www.emro.who.int. Archived from the original on 29 July 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ a b "MERS-CoV | Interim Guidelines for Clinical Specimens from PUI | CDC". www.cdc.gov. 23 March 2020. Archived from the original on 13 April 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ "Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)". nhs.uk. 23 August 2018. Archived from the original on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Zumla A, Hui DS, Perlman S (September 2015). "Middle East respiratory syndrome". Lancet. 386 (9997): 995–1007. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60454-8. PMC 4721578. PMID 26049252.
- ^ "Infectious disease outbreaks reported in the Eastern Mediterranean Region in 2018 | News | Epidemic and pandemic diseases". www.emro.who.int. Archived from the original on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- ^ Khan AA, Alahmari AA, Almuzaini Y, et al. (17 September 2021). "Potential Cross-Reactive Immunity to COVID-19 Infection in Individuals With Laboratory-Confirmed MERS-CoV Infection: A National Retrospective Cohort Study From Saudi Arabia". Frontiers in Immunology. 12: 727989. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.727989. PMC 8484965. PMID 34603300.
- ^ Buket Baddal and Nedim Cakir (September 2020). "Co-infection of MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 in the same host: A silent threat". Journal of Infection and Public Health. 13 (9): 1251–1252. doi:10.1016/j.jiph.2020.06.017. PMC 7306724. PMID 32622797.