Middle East Respiratory Syndrome : Confirmed Case In Abu Dhabi
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently confirmed a case of the potentially fatal Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Abu Dhabi.
- MERS is a viral respiratory disease caused by the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) that was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012.
- Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Coronavirus disease-2019.
- Typical MERS symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath.
- Pneumonia is common but not always present.
- Gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea, have also been reported.
- Fatality Rate: Approximately 35% of MERS cases reported to WHO have died.
- Prevention and Treatment:
- No vaccine or specific treatment is currently available.
- Treatment is supportive and based on the patient’s clinical condition.
