The virus MERS, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, has made its way to the U.S., and like any other epidemic caused widespread panic amongst the country. MERS emerged 2 years ago in Saudi Arabia and has many similar qualities to SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. Both are coron viruses. Thereby, they attack the respiratory system causing fever, coughing, and at times a pneumonia which may be fatal. However, MERS differs from SARS in that it appears to be not quite as contagious.
At this time, over 650 people worldwide have been infected with it.
The first case of MERS in the U.S. was reported on May 2. A man was diagnosed in Indiana according to reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The man who was diagnosed is a health-care provider who had recently traveled to Saudi Arabia to provide health care. His route was from Riyadh to London, Apr.24, then to Chicago where he took a bus to Indiana.
The quality about this virus that is causing such extensive panic is how little is known about it. When it resurfaced 2 years ago, it was deemed one of the top potential pandemic threats by global specialists. There is still no definitive method of diagnosis and treatment plans are still being grappled with. Researchers have little-to-no information on the virus is being spread.
Camels are supposed to be a major source of infection, yet they are not sure of how it was transferred from this source.
Currently, 16 people in LA County are under close observation after sharing a flight with a man who is being treated for MERS in Florida, according to the California Department of Public Health.
photo: Photspin
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