MERS

Question 1

What type of virus is MERS, what is the reservoir and when was it fist detected in humans?

Answer 1

Beta-coronavirus 

Dromedary camels

2012

Question 2

Case fatality rate of MERS

Answer 2

35%

Question 3

Risk countries for MERS

Answer 3

SKY OUIJI B&Q

Saudi Arabia
Kuwait
Yemen
Oman
UAE
Iran
Jordan
Iraq
Bahrain
Qatar

And Kenya for camel herders

Question 4

Most at risk patients for MERS

Answer 4

Older (>60 y)
Underlying conditions

Most people will have mild or asymptomatic infection

Question 5

Clinical feature of MERS

Answer 5

Fever and non-productive cough

Dyspnea, chills, rigours, headache, myalgia, can have gastro upset

Pneumonia

Question 6

Diagnostic samples and tests for MERS

Answer 6

PCR in Upper and lower respiratory tract samples
Positive to RVU for confirmation

RNA can also be detected in urine, faeces and blood

Question 7

Three case definitions for MERS

Answer 7

1. Severe acute respiratory infection with
   a) hospitalisation
   b) pulmonary parenchymal disease
   c) no other cause found

And one of the following 14 days prior symptom onset:

• Travel to MERS country
• Close contact of MERS
• Hospitalised in MERS country
• HCW caring for patients with MERS regardless of travel

OR:

• Cluster of epi linked ICU cases of respiratory disease
• sudden deterioration and unknown travel

2. Acute ILI and in MERS country within 14 days and contact with camels/hospital attendance/contact with someone in hospital
3. Acute respiratory illness and contact with MERS case

i.e 14 days and 1. severe disease and travel/contact 2. Mild resp symptoms and travel plus camel/hospital contact 3. Mild plus MERS contact