Q&A on Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus

What is Mers? How does it spread? And who is most at risk? All are answered in this Q&A.

What is it?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness in humans and animals.

This virus is known as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (Mers-CoV) because all the cases have had some contact – whether direct or indirect – with the Middle East.

It is considered a less-contagious but much deadlier cousin of severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars), which infected 8,273 people, 9 per cent of whom died, during an outbreak in Asia in 2003

Where has it been found?

Mers was first reported in Saudi Arabia last year. Since then, sporadic outbreaks of Mers-CoV have been detected in nine countries – France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Tunisia and the UK.

What is the source?

Nobody knows. Researchers suggest the virus originated in bats, but it has also been found in camels.

How does it spread?

From sick people through close contact with others, such as family members and health workers. The virus has not been shown to spread in a sustained way in wider communities. The situation is still evolving.

Who is most at risk?

Those with underlying health conditions, including chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart problems, or those with a weaker immune system.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Not all infected people have symptoms. Of those who do, common symptoms are acute, serious respiratory illness with fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Most patients have had pneumonia, and many had gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea. Some patients have had kidney failure.

How serious is it?

It can cause illnesses ranging in severity from the common cold to Sars. Mers is the most deadly coronavirus. About half those infected have died.

How widespread is it?

This is unknown. The World Health Organisation (WHO) encourages member states to monitor severe acute respiratory infections.

Is there a vaccine or treatment?

There is no vaccine. Treatment is largely supportive and based on the patient’s condition. Those who develop a fever and a respiratory illness, such as a cough or a shortness of breath, should see a doctor immediately.

How many people have been infected by it?

WHO has been notified of 163-laboratory confirmed cases worldwide, including 70 deaths.

* Source: WHO What is it?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness in humans and animals.

This virus is known as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (Mers-CoV) because all the cases have had some contact – whether direct or indirect – with the Middle East.

It is considered a less-contagious but much deadlier cousin of severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars), which infected 8,273 people, 9 per cent of whom died, during an outbreak in Asia in 2003

Where has it been found?

Mers was first reported in Saudi Arabia last year. Since then, sporadic outbreaks of Mers-CoV have been detected in nine countries – France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Tunisia and the UK.

What is the source?

Nobody knows. Researchers suggest the virus originated in bats, but it has also been found in camels.

How does it spread?

From sick people through close contact with others, such as family members and health workers. The virus has not been shown to spread in a sustained way in wider communities. The situation is still evolving.

Who is most at risk?

Those with underlying health conditions, including chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart problems, or those with a weaker immune system.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Not all infected people have symptoms. Of those who do, common symptoms are acute, serious respiratory illness with fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Most patients have had pneumonia, and many had gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea. Some patients have had kidney failure.

How serious is it?

It can cause illnesses ranging in severity from the common cold to Sars. Mers is the most deadly coronavirus. About half those infected have died.

How widespread is it?

This is unknown. The World Health Organisation (WHO) encourages member states to monitor severe acute respiratory infections.

Is there a vaccine or treatment?

There is no vaccine. Treatment is largely supportive and based on the patient’s condition. Those who develop a fever and a respiratory illness, such as a cough or a shortness of breath, should see a doctor immediately.

How many people have been infected by it?

WHO has been notified of 163-laboratory confirmed cases worldwide, including 70 deaths.

* Source: WHO