MERSCoV

MERS-CoV, or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, is a zoonotic coronavirus that infects humans and dromedary camels. It was first identified in 2012 in Saudi Arabia and belongs to the betacoronavirus genus. Camels are considered the natural reservoir and can transmit the virus to humans; human-to-human transmission occurs mainly through close contact, particularly in healthcare settings.

Clinical presentation ranges from asymptomatic or mild illness to severe pneumonia. Common symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and in severe cases acute respiratory distress syndrome, kidney failure, and multi-organ failure. The overall case fatality rate among reported cases has been approximately 30–40%, influenced by age and comorbidities.

Diagnosis relies on molecular testing, primarily reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on respiratory specimens. There is no licensed vaccine or widely effective antiviral treatment; management is supportive care. Some antiviral agents and experimental therapies have been used in outbreaks, but evidence for a specific cure remains limited.

Prevention emphasizes infection control and avoidance of transmission. Key measures include prompt isolation of suspected or confirmed cases, appropriate use of personal protective equipment by healthcare workers, hand hygiene, and respiratory precautions. Public guidance also recommends avoiding close contact with camels and consumption of raw camel milk or meat in regions with known MERS activity.

Epidemiologically, MERS-CoV has caused sporadic human cases and episodic outbreaks since 2012, with most transmission linked to healthcare exposure or camel contact. Global spread has been limited, and sustained community transmission has not been established.