Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a deadly respiratory illness caused by the MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV). This virus emerged in 2012 and has been linked to several outbreaks across the world.

MERS has a high fatality rate of 30-40%, which is key to people’s concern for its spread. However, while there have been sporadic cases of MERS, the virus poses no severe threat to the public’s health. This article discusses the reasons why MERS poses no risk to the public’s health.

What Is MERS?

Middle East respiratory syndrome is an illness caused by the MERS-CoV. This virus was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and has since spread to other countries, including South Korea, where it caused the largest outbreak outside of the Middle East.

MERS-CoV is a member of the coronavirus family, which also includes SARS-CoV and COVID-19.

How Is MERS Transmitted?

MERS-CoV can be transmitted from camels to humans, and human to human transmission is possible but very rare.

Most cases of MERS have occurred in people who have traveled to the Middle East or who have had close contact with people who have traveled to the Middle East. In 2015, an outbreak of MERS occurred in South Korea that was linked to a single traveler who had acquired the virus while visiting the Middle East.

Symptoms Of MERS

The symptoms of MERS can range from mild to severe, with severe cases resulting in respiratory failure and other complications. The most common symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Some people may also experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and nausea.

Why MERS Poses No Threat To Public Health

MERS is a relatively rare disease that has only been reported in a few countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), since September 2012, there have been a total of 2,494 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS, including 858 deaths.

While this may seem like a significant number of cases, it is important to note that the majority of these cases have occurred in healthcare settings, where the virus is more likely to be transmitted from person to person, and where individuals are more likely to have underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe illness. As a result, the general public is at very low risk of contracting the virus.

MERS Is Not Easily Transmitted

Another reason why MERS poses no significant threat to public health is that it is not very contagious. While human-to-human transmission is possible, it requires close contact with an infected person.

This means that unless you have had close contact with someone who has MERS, your risk of contracting the virus is very low.

The Health Care System Is Prepared For MERS

In countries where MERS has been reported, health care systems are well-prepared to identify and respond to cases of MERS.

Health care professionals are trained to recognize the symptoms of MERS, and there are protocols in place to prevent the spread of the virus in health care settings. Additionally, research is being conducted to develop a vaccine for MERS, which would further reduce the threat of the virus to public health.

MERS Is Not An Emerging Disease

Another factor that makes MERS relatively low risk to public health is that it is not a new or emerging disease. While MERS-CoV is a novel coronavirus, it has been around since 2012, and researchers have been studying the virus since its emergence.

This means that we know a lot about the virus, the symptoms it causes, and how it is transmitted, and we have measures in place to prevent its spread.

Conclusion

While MERS is a deadly respiratory illness, it poses no significant threat to public health.

This is because the virus is not easily transmitted, it is a relatively rare disease that is limited to a few countries, and health care systems are prepared to respond to cases of MERS. While it is always essential to take precautions to prevent the spread of any infectious disease, the risk of contracting MERS is very low for the general public.