The World Health Organization (WHO) has already confirmed that as of October 2013 there are 149 people who have Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) worldwide and 63 of them died already. As part of protecting Singapore in such deadly virus, the government is taking precautionary steps to prevent this virus from entering Singapore.
Last July 2013, The Health Ministry actually tested 51 people and fortunately none of them have the virus. According to them, all those who are suspected to have the virus will be isolated immediately and those who have been with a person who has the virus will be quarantined.
What is Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)?
It is a viral respiratory illness that is first reported by an Egyptian virologist Dr. Ali Mohamed Zaki in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It is a betacoronavirus and also known as EMC/2012. Those who have this kind of infection experience a severe acute respiratory illness.
What are the signs and symptoms of MERS?
- Difficulty of breathing
- Coughing
- Fever
- Malaise
- Kidney failure
- Diarrhea (not always present)
What is the mode of transmission of MERS?
The WHO cannot give the exact mode of transmission of this virus. They assume that the person to person transmission of this virus as earlier reported appears to be very low.
What are the treatments for MERS?
There are no specific treatments for MERS as of now, but doctors can provide supportive medical care to alleviate the symptoms. Here are the countries who confirmed to have MERS:
- United Kingdom
- Oman
- UAE (United Arab Emirates)
- Tunisia
- Saudi Arabia
- Qatar
- Jordan
- Italy
- Spain
- France
- Germany