Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), also known as camel flu, is a viral respiratory infection caused by the MERS-corona virus (MERS-CoV). Symptoms may range from mild to severe. They include fever, cough, diarrhea, and shortness of breath.Disease is typically more severe in those with other health problems.
MERS-CoV is a beta corona virus derived from bats.Camels have been shown to have antibodies to MERS-CoV but the exact source of infection in camels has not been identified. Camels are believed to be involved in its spread to humans but it is unclear how.Spread between humans typically requires close contact with an infected person. Its spread is uncommon outside of hospitals. Thus its risk to the globally population is deemed to be currently fairly low.
As of 2015 there is no specific vaccine or treatment for the disease.However, a number of antiviral medications are currently being studied. The World Health Organization recommends that those who come in contact with camels wash their hands frequently and do not touch sick camels. They also recommend that camel products be appropriately cooked. Among those who are infected treatments that help with the symptoms may be given.
Just over 1000 cases of the disease have been reported as of May 2015.About 40% of those who become infected die from the disease.The first identified case occurred in 2012 in Saudi Arabia and most cases have occurred in the Arabian Peninsula.A strain of MERS-CoV known as HCoV-EMC/2012 found in the first infected person in London in 2012 was found to have a 100% match to Egyptian tomb bats. A large outbreak occurred in the Republic of Korea in 2015.
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