UK Health Radio Medical News Update – Mers Virus.

Thursday 15^th May 14

UK Health Radio Medical News Update – Mers Virus.

The BBC have news of a new virus that is causing some world wide concern. Mers is a type of coronavirus. A large family of viruses, Coronaviruses include the common cold and Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome). This is a new virus, however, not to be confused with Sars and The World Health Organisation are currently considering issuing a public health alert.

In Saudi Arabia reports say that more than 100 people who have been infected with the Mers virus have died since an outbreak of the virus in 2012.   Elsewhere in the Middle East cases have been confirmed in in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and in Europe in France, Germany, Italy, in Africa in Tunisia and Egypt, and in the UK and, most recently cases have been reported in the USA.

In answer to the question of how dangerous it is, experts say that the virus is not very contagious because if it were very virulent there would have been more cases. But around a third of those infected have died.  In fact, outside of the body the virus can only survive for a day and is easily destroyed by cleaning agents and detergents.  In the UK public health experts have classified the risk to the public as very low.  

The greatest concern, however, is the potential for this new virus to spread far and wide. So far, person-to-person transmission has remained limited to some small clusters. There is no evidence yet that the virus has the capacity to become a pandemic.  The fact that camels may spread the virus might explain the high incidence in the Middle East.  However air travel always gives the possibility for a virus to be transported inter continentally.  The virus spreads from person to person and a severe attack will require intensive care as airways and breathing are affected.  Symptoms are similar to flu or a bad respiratory infection.  At the moment the best advice for travellers is to observe normal hygiene and avoid close contact with anyone who is ill and to keep some form of antiseptic wipe with them to clean hands and other surfaces. 

Amanda Thomas

UK Health Radio

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