Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a viral respiratory disease caused by one of the coronaviruses that was first discovered in Saudi Arabia in 2012. This type of virus represents a large family of viruses that can cause diseases in humans, the spectrum of which extends from the common cold to the syndrome Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
Corona virus symptoms
Symptoms of MERS include fever and cough or shortness of breath.
Pneumonia is also common, although it has been reported that some people with the infection are asymptomatic.
Gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea have also been reported.
Severe cases may include respiratory failure requiring artificial respiration and support in an intensive care unit.
And some patients had failure in the functions of some organs, especially kidney failure or septic shock.
The virus appears to cause more severe disease in people with weakened immune systems, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.
The mortality rate for people infected with MERS-CoV is around 35%, however this estimate may be an exaggeration, given that existing surveillance systems may not record mild cases.
Is there a vaccine against corona virus and what is the treatment?
There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for MERS.
The treatment available is supportive and depends on the patient’s clinical condition.
How do people get infected with the respiratory corona virus?
The MERS virus is transmitted primarily from animal to human, but it can also be transmitted from person to person.
From animal to human
Corona virus is a zoonotic virus, that is, it is transmitted between animals and humans.
Scientific evidence indicates that people contract the infection through direct or indirect contact with Arabian camels.
The MERS virus has been detected in Arabian camels in a number of countries, including Egypt, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
There is other data indicating that the Corona virus is widespread in Arab camels in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
It is possible that there are other animal reservoirs, but animals such as goats, cows, sheep, buffaloes, pigs and wild birds have been tested and have not detected the virus.
between people
The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus is not easily transmitted between people, except in the case of close contact
Such as if clinical care is provided to an infected patient without strict hygiene measures.
The transmission of the disease between persons has been limited to this day, and it has been detected among family members, patients, and health care workers.
Most MERS cases reported to date have occurred in healthcare settings.
Detection of people infected with the Corona virus
It is not always possible to detect people infected with MERS virus because the early symptoms of this disease are non-specific.
For this reason, all health care facilities should implement standard infection prevention and control practices.
It is also important to investigate the travel history of people with respiratory infections to determine whether they have recently visited countries where the coronavirus is actively circulating or have been in contact with Arabian camels.
What do you do if you come into contact with someone with corona syndrome?
If you have been in close contact with a person infected with MERS-CoV in the last 14 days without taking the recommended infection control precautions, you should contact a health care provider to assess your condition.
Nutrition tips against corona virus
- Consumption of animal products including dairy and meat, raw or undercooked, carries a severe risk of infection caused by a range of organisms.
- Appropriately prepared animal products, by cooking or pasteurization, are safe to consume but should be handled carefully to avoid cross-contamination from uncooked foods.
- Camel meat and milk are nutritious products that can be consumed after being pasteurized, cooked or treated with any other heat treatment.
- Until more is understood about the coronavirus, people with diabetes, kidney failure, chronic lung disease, and immunocompromised individuals will be considered to be at high risk of severe illness from infection with the coronavirus.
- Therefore, this group of people, especially in the Middle East, should avoid contact with Arabian camels and should avoid consuming their raw milk or urine or eating their undercooked meat.
- People should avoid direct contact with any animal confirmed to be infected with the Coronavirus
