Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), also known as camel flu,[1] is a viral respiratory infection caused by the MERS-coronavirus (MERS-CoV).[2] Symptoms may range from mild to severe.[3] They include fever, cough, diarrhea, and shortness of breath.[2] Disease is typically more severe in those with other health problems.[3]
MERS-CoV is a betacoronavirus derived from bats.[2] Camels have been shown to have antibodies to MERS-CoV but the exact source of infection in camels has not been identified. Camels are believed to be involved in its spread to humans but it is unclear how.[3] Spread between humans typically requires close contact with an infected person.[2] It spread is uncommon outside of hospitals.[3] Thus its risk to the globally population is deemed to be currently fairly low.[3]
As of 2015 there is no specific vaccine or treatment for the disease.[2][3] However, a number of antiviral medications are currently being studied.[3] The World Health Organization recommends that those who come in contact with camels wash their hands frequently and do not touch sick camels.[2] They also recommend that camel products be appropriately cooked.[2] Among those who are infected treatments that help with the symptoms may be given.[2]
Just over 1000 cases of the disease have been reported as of May 2015.[3] About 40% of those who become infected die from the disease.[3] The first identified case occurred in 2012 in Saudi Arabia and most cases have occurred in the Arabian Peninsula.[2][3] A strain of MERS-CoV known as HCoV-EMC/2012 found in the first infected person in London in 2012 was found to have a 100% match to Egyptian tomb bats. A large outbreak occurred in the Republic of Korea in 2015.