What Is MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus)?

Date: Jun-26-2013MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus)?

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Main Category: Flu / Cold / SARS

Also Included In: Respiratory / Asthma;  Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses

Article Date: 26 Jun 2013 - 12:00 PDT

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What Is MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus)?


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MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus), previously known as the Novel Coronavirus or SARS-like virus, is a member of the coronavirus family.

Coronaviruses commonly cause respiratory illness in mammals, including humans. Coronaviruses are responsible for approximately 1 in every 3 cases of the common cold. MERS-CoV is much more deadly than any other coronavirus seen before.

MERS-CoV is a new coronavirus strain that appeared last year. It started making people ill in the Middle East in 2012 and was first identified when a man in Saudi Arabia came down with "SARS-like" symptoms. He died in June 2012.

A few months later, a man from Qatar became ill with similar symptoms after returning from a trip to Saudi Arabia. He was airlifted to the United Kingdom for further treatment, where laboratory tests confirmed he had been infected with MERS-CoV.

So far, cases of confirmed MERS-CoV infections have been reported in:
United Kingdom
UAE (United Arab Emirates)
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia
Qatar
Jordan
Italy
Germany
France

Coronaviruses are so called because they have crown-like projections on their surfaces. "Corona" in Latin means "crown" or "halo".

MERS-CoV - Notice the "corona" (crown) like projections around them

What are the signs and symptoms of MERS-CoV infection?
Not all infected people have symptoms, i.e. some individuals may be infected with MERS-CoV and do not get ill. An infected man in Jordan had no symptoms at all.

Infected patients may have the following signs and symptoms:
Coughing
Mucous
Shortness of breath
Malaise - a general feeling of being unwell
Chest pain
Fever
Diarrhea (in some cases)
Renal (kidney) failure

Doctors describe it as flu-like illness with signs and symptoms of pneumonia. Early reports described symptoms as similar to those found in SARS-CoV (severe acute respiratory syndrome) cases. However, SARS infections did not cause renal failure, unlike MERS-CoV.
What are the treatment options for MERS-CoV infection?
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and WHO (World Health Organization), there are no specific treatments for patients who become ill with MERS-CoV infection.

All doctors can currently do is provide supportive medical care to help relieve the symptoms. Supportive care means providing treatment to prevent, control or relieve complications and side effects, as well as attempting to improve the patient's comfort and quality of life. Supportive care (supportive therapy) does not include treating or improving the illness/condition.
What are the possible complications linked to MERS-CoV infection?

Pneumonia
Kidney failure
Death - over 60% of infected patients die

Who are more vulnerable to infections and complications?
The following groups of people are more susceptible to MERS-CoV infections and complications:
Patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart conditions
Organ transplant recipients who are on immunosuppressive medications
Other patients whose immune systems are weak, such as cancer patients undergoing treatment
Of the over sixty cases of MERS-CoV infections confirmed so far, the vast majority have been male (it is too early to confirm that males are more vulnerable than females)
How dangerous is MERS-CoV compared to SARS-CoV?
SARS-CoV is more human-transmissible than MERS-CoV. However, MERS-CoV is more deadly:
0ver 60% of people infected with MERS-CoV so far have died
SARS-CoV had a death rate of approximately 10%
Experts have noticed that MERS-CoV is more human-transmissible in hospital settings than originally thought
We know very little about MERS-CoV - we don't know where it comes from, experts believe it originated from bats. Nobody is quite sure how many people are infected without symptoms. Until scientists know more about this new virus strain, it is difficult to determine whether it is a serious public health threat. According to Margaret Chan, Director General of WHO, "(MERS-CoV) is a threat to the entire world".
How can I protect myself from MERS-CoV infection?
As nobody knows what the source of transmission of MERS-CoV is, exactly how people become infected, or its mode of transmission, WHO says it cannot give specific advice on prevention of infection.

If you are in an area known to have cases of MERS-CoV infections, WHO, CDC and HPA (Health Protection Agency, UK) suggest people take measures currently advised for any kind of respiratory illness, including:
Avoid contact with people with symptoms of disease
Maintain good hand hygiene
Avoid unwashed vegetables and fruits
Avoid uncooked or undercooked meats
Make sure the water you drink is sterilized
People who become ill while on a trip should avoid close contact with other people, they should wear a medical mask, and sneeze into a sleeve, flexed elbow or tissue (making sure it is disposed of properly after use).

Unless you are caring for a person who is sick and infected with MERS-CoV, your risk of contracting the virus is small, says WHO. However, as so little is known about this virus strain, any advice or recommendation should be considered as temporary.

Written by Christian Nordqvist

Copyright: Medical News Today

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Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.