MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) previously known as novel coronavirus (nCoV), is a viral respiratory illness, which was first reported in Saudi Arabia, in 2012. The source of MERS is currently unknown, though it is likely to have originated from an animal.
MERS-CoV is dissimilar to other coronaviruses; there is currently no vaccine.
The MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) virus is currently spreading in South Korea. This, in combination with the fact that coronaviruses can often mutate, has caused increased fear that MERS could become a pandemic.
Most confirmed cases of MERS-CoV have displayed symptoms of severe acute respiratory illness. Approximately 36% of patients reported to have MERS have died.
What causes MERS?
In addition to humans, strains of MERS-CoV have been identified in:- Camels in Qatar, Egypt and Saudi Arabia
- A bat in Saudi Arabia.
Researchers from three centers in the United States and two in Saudi Arabia conducted complete genetic sequences for MERS-CoV isolates generated from five camels; the results verified that these were identical to published sequences of isolates from human.
Goats, cows, sheep, water buffalo, swine and wild birds have been tested for antibodies to MERS-CoV; none have yet been detected.
The findings above support the hypothesis that camels are a probable source of infection transfer to humans, while bats may be the ultimate reservoir of the virus. Close contact between a person and an infected camel appears to be necessary for the transmission of MERS-CoV, and it has been suggested that the virus could infect humans thro
ugh air, and through consumption of camel milk or meat.
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