Question

1) Minimum of 2 Geographical trends of MERS virus

2) Minimum of 2 Impact trends of MERS virus

3) Minimum of 2 Resources trends of MERS virus

Answer 1

The MERS virus is also known by the name MERS-coronavirus aka MERS-CoV. It is a respiratory syndrome.

• MERS stands for Middle East respiratory syndrome. This disease is also known as camel flu.
• Symptoms such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, and diarrhea. These can range from mild to severe. An infected person can also be asymptomatic, that is, without any symptoms. The already immuno-compromised or sick people are at more risk to be severely affected by it.
• It is believed that this coronavirus has originated from bats. But the infection is transferred to humans via camels.
• It spreads among humans upon coming in close contact with an infected person.
• There is no vaccine for it. It was first reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia from where it gets its name.

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Geographical trends:

• Its first case was reported in Saudia Arabia in 2012. It was reported as an outbreak in April 2014, as it had infected 688 people and the death toll was 282 at that time. There was no recommendation for screening of travelers by WHO.
• In 2014, on the 2nd of May, there was the first case reported followed by second. Both these positive cases had traveled to the USA from Saudi Arabia.
• This was followed by cases reported in Netherland, South Korea, Philippines, UK, and Kenya later on. It affected 27 countries. The epicenter was Saudi Arabia.

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Impact trends of MERS virus:

• Due to a high mortality rate the MERS virus was called to be a threat to global health security.
• All the cases were linked to the middle east countries.
• It impacted global health care and it records deaths among age group of 45-85 with comorbidities.The number of deaths is higher in age group 50-59 as primary case whereas for secondary cases it is 70-79.

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Resources trends of MERS virus:

• believed to be originated from bats.
• It is transfered to human by camels.
• Human to human transmission is by close contact with infected person.
• There is no vaccine for MERS virus. It is under development.
• No specific treatment available but the treatment is based on the patient's condition.
• contact with infected camel can transmit this virus to humans according to studies.
• As of january 2020, there are 2519 cases reported. and fatality rate is 34.3%.