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Infection Control

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV): A New Emerging Disease

MERSThis post was prepared by Dr. Nita Mazurat, representative of the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP)

Dental offices may wish to review preparedness lessons learned during the H1N1 alert. 

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was first reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia with an increase in reported cases in Saudi Arabia and UAE since mid-March 2014. This emerging disease is caused by a beta human coronavirus that is different than any coronavirus previously found in people.

A person under investigation (PUI) has the following characteristics: fever ≥ 38°C, 100.4°F and pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome AND EITHER a history of travel from countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula within 14 days before symptom onset OR close contact with a symptomatic traveler who developed fever and acute respiratory illness within 14 days after traveling from countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula OR is a member of a cluster of patients with severe acute respiratory illness of unknown etiology in which MERS-CoV is being evaluated. 

The disease has a range of illness from mild and asymptomatic infections to fever, cough, runny nose, and shortness of breath (severe acute respiratory illness) with 30% death rates.  It is not the same coronavirus that caused SARS in 2003. It is most similar to coronaviruses found in bats. MERS-CoV has also been found in camels in some of the affected areas as well as a bat in one affected area. All reported illnesses have been linked to six countries in the Arabian Peninsula: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Oman , and Kuwait. All cases outside of this area in six other countries, including one case in the USA, have been associated with travel from this area.   

There is currently no vaccine for the disease and no specific treatment recommended for illnesses caused by MERS-CoV.  Mode of transmission for MERS-CoV is not confirmed at this time, however, it is likely that spread is through both a respiratory route and contact. Therefore, risk of infection is reduced through standard hand hygiene, avoiding close contact with those who are ill, and not touching your face (eyes, nose, mouth) with unwashed hands.

Resources

  1. The post is based on information from the CDC website: CDC Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
  2. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
  3. About Coronavirus
  4. Frequently Asked MERS Questions and Answers
  5. CDC Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Information for Healthcare Providers: Case Definitions
  6. CDC Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Information for Healthcare Providers: Infection Prevention and Control
  7. OSAP InfoBites May 5, 2014

 WHO statement on the Fifth Meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee concerning MERS-CoV, May 14, 2014

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