It for more than 10 years the respiratory disease severe acute respiratory syndrome (better) called known as SARS Kong first appeared in southern China and Hong. Caused by a type of virus called a coronavirus, sat down SARS in two dozen countries, including several in North America, South America and Europe, more than 700 people to kill. There were no reported cases of SARS since 2004. But this virus quickly enough moves and serious enough that in the year 2012, the Centers for disease control and prevention declared that she was presented a serious threat to public health and safety.
In the same year, public health and infectious disease experts took a new viral respiratory disease, which was caused by a coronavirus, but in contrast to the SARS caused. The first cases of this disease occurred in Saudi Arabia, so that Middle East respiratory syndrome - named MERS or MERS-CoV (for coronavirus). MERS are symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. So far, about one-third of the people with confirmed cases of MERS have died.
Until recently, most cases of MERS in the countries of the Arabian Peninsula occurred. But in this month two cases of MERS has been confirmed in the United States. Both people with MERS had traveled from Saudi Arabia in the United States. One has been completely restored and on the other hand, a service provider, who had traveled from Saudi Arabia goes well.
Now considered it does appear as if the MERS virus not easy to spread from person to person. It is very likely to go from someone who the MERS to someone who lives with or cares for them. The CDC, along with other organizations of public health following the MERS, does not believe that MERS is a serious health threat at this time. However, as we say"go," there are reports that two employees in the health sector, a patient of MERS have developed maintained flu-like symptoms. Neither available nor a confirmed case of MERS, but test results are still pending. Track the spread of MERS is crucial, because it is possible that the virus start to can to spread more easily from person to person.
Expressed at the recent meeting of the World Health Organization Emergency Committee on MERS-CoV members concern about the effect of the MERS on public health is growing. Because currently there is "no evidence of sustained transmission from person to person", but not the criteria of the situation still meet for a public health emergency international group.
Health officials are for each reach, who may have had close contact with someone with a confirmed case of MERS, including family members and even people that flights had close contact during the airline may. It aims to people for symptoms observe and look at, see their doctors to promote.
The sudden emergence of novel or also known and infectious diseases around the globe is not new. There was a recent outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in Guinea and Liberia. Polio makes an appearance in Syria, Cameroon, Kenya and other countries. What is relatively new is that the world has become much smaller in the last 60 years. International travel is frequent, fast and easy - and viruses can hardy tourists.
What should you do? First, outbreak or not, follow common sense safety precautions. Wash your hands regularly, sure, if you are someone who the sick eighth and so good you can minimize, close contact with (E.g. dishwasher parts not or drinking glasses). If you are sick, do the same - and cough into your elbow, wash your hands often and use disposable tissues when sneezing or blowing your nose. Secondly, if you traveled recently have and feel sick, see your doctor promptly. Finally, if you are planning travel, check out the CDC website for lots of good advice, including information on possible health risks, such as infectious diseases.