Middle
East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
Definition:
Corona
viruses are the viruses which most of the people will catch them in their
lifetime. They spotted on 1960 which lead to a simple to semiserious disease in
upper breathing system. The name of Conora is derived from a Latin name because
of its appearance under electron microscope which is like spikes. It means crown
or halo. There were 3 main subgroup of this virus with name of Alpha, Beta,
Gama plus a recently recognized Delta. Corona Virus can also infect animals.
They usually attack a single species among monkeys, cats, dogs, camels and rodents. The most famous
disease which corona virus is responsible is SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) which fortunately since 2004 had
not been reported globally. The last disease which this group caused was Mers-CoV
in Saudi Arabia in 60 years old man which led to patient death. Health Protection Laboratories in Colindale
approved the discovery of this virus. Until now 550 people are confirmed to
have this virus mainly from Saudi Arabia. Some also had been reported in United
Arabs Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain which caused a total death of 175 people. WHO
concerns about this Virus outbreak risk after several approved reports from
European countries like France, UK and Italy.
Transmission:
The
information regarding Transmission way are incomplete but from human to human
is like Influenza. They are mainly by coughing and sneezing. In open area the
transmission is very rare and it only happened when the person spend an
extended period of time with the patient in a closed area like nurses in
hospitals. This virus might be transmitted by touching the infected surface and
then eye, nose and mouth contact. Researches proved that from the animals the
camel is a host for this virus and can infect humans. The interesting fact
about this disease is that it had been mostly reported in health care buildings
like hospitals. In France the infection only occurred in hospitals. It suggest
that it should have some pre condition in victim to let virus attack and cause
disease.
Symptoms:
WHO
reported that all symptoms are not discovered, but it is consist of coughing,
fever, breathing difficulties mainly. Patient might also cough for several days
without any reason. In very serious condition Digestive problems such as diarrhea, acute respiratory failure, coagulation
disorders, pericarditis (inflammation of the membrane around the heart) and kidney failure are reported. Patient will need hemodialysis in
this condition. This infection can lead to death if patients has any kind of
immunity problem. From the time this virus enter and the symptoms being visible
takes around 7 days.
Treatment:
There is no approved treatment for this
disease and the only recommendation is breath help for serious difficulties.
Anyhow sedatives and fever reduction pills which used usually against normal
cold is recommended. Moreover washing mouth and throat with normal saline serum
(0.9% salt (NaCl) in water)), drinking drinks and hot water shower will help to
relief symptoms. A recent cooperation between a Swedish and German university
led to discovery of an agent named “K22” which seems to be able stop disease
spread among humans. They noticed that K22 is effective against all Corona
viruses like SARS and MERS. Report on PLOS Pathogens journals claimed that K22
will stops virus reproduction in human breath system on laboratory stage.
Prevention:
Unfortunately
there is no vaccine for this disease so it is important that high risk people
always wash their hand with soap, avoid touch to vulnerable areas like mouth,
nose, and eyes and touch suspicious people. Infected people should rest at home
and in case of sneeze and cough use tissue to prevent infection spread.
Remember that all disinfection materials can kill Corona virus so keeping
personal hygiene is an essential to avoid this infection.
Some
other good protective measure are:
- -Good environmental hygiene in farms, Barns
and wherever that camels are living and being kept.
- - Inform people specially travelers.
- -Avoid eating uncooked camel meat and drink
camel milk only after it’s boiled.
- -Cooking, peeling and washing with tools in
contact with any animals discharge.
- -Keeping a distance of minimum 1 meter from
any breath infected patients.
- -WHO reports that the main spreading reason
are the travelers who recently traveled to high risk area especially middle
east and returned.
At
end I should add that research are going on to find a vaccine and testing them
on animals.
Follow us on:
No comments:
Post a Comment