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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : May 18, 2014 12:52 PM IST
A second Dutch case of the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus has been confirmed, the Dutch National Institute for the Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) announced Thursday. This came just a day after the country confirmed the first case, according to Xinhua.Both patients, who are members of a same family, had travelled together to Saudi Arabia between April 26 and May 10. There have been over 500 confirmed MERS cases since the first cases were reported in the Arabian Peninsula in 2012. MERS infections can cause severe respiratory symptoms, especially to people with other health problems, and diarrhea symptoms may also occur. (Read: MERS virus exposure: Two US hospital workers fall ill)
What exactly is the MERS-CoV?
The MERS is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus which has been christened Middle East Respiratory Coronavirus.
MERS-CoV facts
1. Spread by animals in contact with bats
Mostly carried by bats but also some other vertebrates, the MERS Coronovirus spreads very rapidly in animals when they are kept together in confined and crowded places like live-animal markets, slaughter houses and while transporting animals by ships. Close and prolong contact with infected animals, which may not show any symptoms, helps virus jump to human. As it happened in SARS most of the animal traders were found to have SARS antibodies without any symptoms. This is a stage of adaptation to a new host (Inter-species transfer) which led to possible viral genetic mutation to adapt to its new human host. Same may be true for MERS-CoV.
2. It doesn't spread rapidly among humans
MERS is not transmitted very readily from person-to-person. This may occur after close and prolonged contact with infected patient in closed environment like home, hospitals etc. Infection spreads by coughing, droplet infection. But it can become air borne, meaning spread by air in hospitals when infected patient is given pressurized oxygen, intubated or procedures like bronchoscopy or during the use of pressurized devises like dental drill etc making healthcare workers more susceptible.
3. Infection control in hospitals and clinics can prevent spread
Healthcare workers getting infected by MERS are reported on a regular basis which shows failure of observing stringent Infection Control Procedures in the hospitals. It is the responsibility of the hospitals to educate their staff, supervise and implement strict Infection Control and isolation procedures. Infected healthcare workers take the infection to their family and wider community. (Read: 12 fast facts about MERS-CoV)
With inputs from IANS
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