Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus or MERS-CoV is a flu epidemic in the Middle East. This virus is highly contagious and deadly. It is basically an acute respiratory infection presenting as pneumonia.

MERS causes high fever, coughing, and pneumonia in humans. It affects animals as well, which is why it is recommended to avoid having close contact with farm animals and barn areas, where the virus has potentially been circulating.

In the last week of December, a case of an elderly man from Riyadh has been reported to have died from a confirmed MERS case. WHO announced five more people have been diagnosed with this lethal Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus, bringing to a total of 176 cases, of which 75 have already died.

MERS is spreading gradually; most of the reported cases are in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, UAE, France, Oman, Tunisia, Germany, Spain Italy and Britain.

Furthermore, WHO directed general public to adhere to precautionary measures while visiting a barn or farm. Strict hygiene measures should be taken such as washing hands before and after touching the animals, and before eating food. Moreover, contact with sick animals should be avoided at all times.

For further inquiry on the subject, you can read more on the disease and similar virus infections on our website http://www.benthamscience.com/. Bentham Science Publishers is one of the biggest names in the STM industry. The website has latest eBooks and journals ranging from natural science, medicine, to technology. One of its journals is “Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets” which has articles on infectious diseases latest drug discoveries.