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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : July 22, 2013 10:19 AM IST
International experts have warned India that it remains among the countries that face a high risk of importing the deadly MERS coronavirus. Scientists analysed worldwide traffic and Haj data to predict the movement of people in and out of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East to assess the potential for MERS spreading through returning travellers and pilgrims.
According to scientists from St Michaels Hospital, Toronto, Canada the cities of Mumbai and Kozhikode face the maximum risk of MERS spreading. Other high risk countries include Egypt, Pakistan, Britain, Kuwait, Iran and Bahrain. South-East Asia remains particularly vulnerable because of poorer healthcare services which would hinder a timely public health response.
What precautions can people take to stay safe?
Simple measures of hygiene as follows:
Finally, if you develop any respiratory symptoms like cold, cough, fever or breathlessness, immediately visit your doctor.
Read: MERS-CoV Should Indians be worried? (Expert Interview)
MERS Virus Timeline
Sep 25 2012: WHO identifies a coronavirus in a Qatari man which belonged to the same family as SARS. Coronaviruses are a large family that includes a plethora of viruses from those that cause common cold to the deadly SARS.
Feb 16 2013: UK confirms there is a fresh case of a novel coronavirus infection in a British resident who had travelled to Pakistan and the Middle East.
Feb 20 2013: Sixth patient dies of the coronvirus. Disease claims six out of twelve known infected patients leading to worries about the high mortality rate.
March 27 2013: 11 people out of the 17 infected people die of the MERS virus and diseases surfaces in Germany. WHO continued to encourage all member states to continue their surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections and to carefully review any unusual patterns. It said it was currently working with international experts and countries where cases have been reported to assess the situation and review recommendations for surveillance and monitoring.
May 9 2013: Virus reaches France; all cases can be traced back to the Middle East.
May 13 2013: WHO confirms that the virus can spread from human to human sparking fears of a SARS-like epidemic.
May 29 2013: WHO conceded that the MERS-CoV is a threat to the entire world.
Jun 26 2013: Experts from around the world convene in Cairo to pool their knowledge about the virus. Experts admit they know little about the virus at that point of time and the nearest related virus is found in bats. It s speculated that the virus passed through camels via dates infected by bat droppings to humans.
Jul 6 2103: Deadly version of the coronavirus prompts emergency WHO committee meeting.
July 15 2013: Experts start worrying that state government s lax stand including not screening passengers from the Gulf countries could allow the coronavirus into Mumbai. There s also some worry about airhostesses and other airline crew falling ill, compounded by the fact that none of them are tested.
July 22 2013: International experts concede that India along with Egypt, Pakistan, Britain, Kuwait and other countries are at a higher risk
