MERS Virus: Middle Eastern Respiratory Virus

First reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012, the MERS virus is a respiratory viral illness that is caused by the coronavirus. Currently, all cases of the disease are linked to countries in and around the Arabian Peninsula. According to statistical information, around 30 percent of people who were confirmed to have MERS-CoV have died. As of March 2014, the virus had spread to about 18 countries including Turkey, Italy, Tunisia, Egypt, France, Greece, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Symptoms Of MERS

Although some people with the virus will experience mild symptoms, there are also those who experience no symptoms at all. However, the most common symptoms of the MERS virus include; fever, cough, malaise, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and kidney failure. As the disease progresses, it becomes worse and can lead to respiratory failure and death.

Source Of Transmission

Medical science does not know exactly where MERS comes from, although it’s been speculated it is transmitted from an animal source. MERS-CoV has been found in camels in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Egypt. Camels in many other countries have also tested positive for the antibodies to MERS, which means they were previously infected by the virus or some type of closely related virus.

See Also: Is MERS The Next Pandemic?

MERS Risk Factors

This virus can infect a person regardless of their health status, age or gender. People who have recently traveled to the Middle East and have developed an acute respiratory infection should be tested for the MERS virus. The elderly, immunocompromised individuals and those with debilitating health conditions are at a higher than average risk of developing the disease. Another major risk factor with the disease is simply being in contact with someone who has the virus, because it spreads easily through respiratory droplets and secretions.

MERS: Diagnostis, Treatment, And Prevention

The virus is detected through a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction or PCR test. On June 5^th, 2013, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for the CDC Novel Coronavirus 2012 Real-time RT-PCR Assay. This type of diagnostic test used to be known as the novel coronavirus 2012 or NCV-2012, and is used in people with signs and symptoms of MERS or those who have certain risk factors. The PCR test is done using a secretion of respiratory sputum or blood.

The CDC is the body that confirms a positive diagnosis of the disease. Other tests that can be ordered by a physician include a chest X-ray, complete blood count and a CT scan. 

Treatment

Because the MERS virus is caused by a virus that mimics SARS, managing the disease has been extrapolated from the protocols of the 2002 SARS outbreak and some extremely limited experimental information. Much like SARS, people who have contracted MERS often need oxygen supplementation and in more severe cases, intubation and mechanical ventilation is necessary.

To date there has been no drug designed to treat this virus. Several medications have been tried in the treatment of MERS, but further research must be done. Managing the individual with MERS will depend on the person’s medical condition and it may require the assistance of infectious disease, pulmonary and critical care specialists.

Prevention

Fortunately, the MERS virus does not appear to spread with ease or very quickly from person to person like the SARS virus does. People who travel to the Arabian Peninsula and the outer areas may protect themselves against the disease by taking care to prohibit the spreading of germs. It is important to engage in frequent hand washing using warm, soapy water, or alcohol hand sanitizer, avoiding close contact with people who are sick and avoiding touching one’s mouth, nose or eyes can help prevent spreading germs. People who work in a caregiver role should wear a face mask when providing direct medical care and perform frequent hand washing.

Is There A MERS Vaccine?

In June of 2013, a vaccine company called Novavax announced they produced a vaccine against the MERS virus. However, as of this writing, the vaccine has not yet been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and it is not yet available on a commercial basis.

What Is The CDC Doing About MERS?

The Centers for Disease Control works around the clock to protect the health of everyone. It is their job to be concerned and move with expediency when there is a threat to the public’s health. The organization continues to monitor the situation involving MERS globally.  Working with the World Health Organization, the CDC strives to provide a better understanding of the virus, how it is spread, the source and the risk it brings to people everywhere.

• Improving the way MERS data is collected.
• Increasing lab testing in states to detect the disease.
• Developing guidance and tools for health departments to conduct investigations when the virus is suspected or confirmed.
• Providing recommendations about health care infection control methods in order to prevent the disease from spreading.
• Providing guidance for flight crews, emergency medical services and customs and border patrol agents about reporting sick travelers to the Centers for Disease Control.
• Disseminating important up-to-date information about MERS to the public, international travelers and public health entities.
• Using advanced detection methods for screening.

See Also: First US MERS Case: Should You Be Scared?

Prognosis

Recently, scientists have found natural human antibodies to the MERS virus. They say the discovery of these antibodies is an important step towards developing treatments for the fatal disease. MERS is a concern of international level and currently there is no cure or vaccine. However, in studies published in two leading medical journals, scientists from China, Hong Kong and the US said they had located several neutralizing antibodies that were able to prevent the virus from attaching to human cells. While this new information is promising, more study and research is needed in order to better understand this deadly disease and how it is transmitted.