Healthcare Report: Analysis of MERS Outbreak and Prevention Strategies

This report examines the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak, focusing on the MERS-CoV virus, its impact on human health, and preventative measures. The report highlights the virus's characteristics, including its potential for causing severe respiratory illness, such as cough, fever, and kidney failure, and its high mortality rate. It discusses the transmission methods, which are not fully understood, and emphasizes the absence of a vaccine. The report outlines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, which include hand sanitization, avoiding contact with sick individuals, and disinfection of surfaces. Furthermore, the report highlights the importance of monitoring suspected or confirmed cases and the need for travelers to take precautions, particularly in regions where the infection has been reported. References to relevant studies, like those by Memish et al. and de Groot et al., are provided to support the analysis.

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Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) infection
Since it first emerged in the Arabian Peninsula is the year 2012, Middle East
Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has been drawing significant public attention. There has been
considerable research going on for better understanding the nature of the virus, the impact on
humans and how it can be prevented. The infection in humans occurs as a viral respiratory
illness that is caused due to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
One must note that MERS-CoV is drastically dissimilar from any other such isolated
previously. Some individuals might be developing mild or no symptoms; however most of
the infected individuals develop severe respiratory illness. The major complications are
cough, high fever and shortness of breadth. Other health impacts include nausea, diarrhea,
gastrointestinal symptoms and even kidney failure. Mortality rate for this disease has been
significant (Memish et al. 2014).
The mode of transmission of the infectious agent, as perceived, from person to person,
is respiratory secretions. The specific way in which the virus spreads is not understood in a
clear manner (de Groot et al., 2013). The researchers point out that there is no available
vaccine at the present that can prevent the infection. CDC advises protection against this
particular infection through adherence to guidelines for all respiratory diseases such as hand
sanitisation, avoidance of direct contact with sick individuals and disinfection of touched
surfaces.
CDC further recommends that travel plans are to be changed due to MERS. Special
precautions are to be maintained by travellers who stay in regions where incidences of the
infection have been reported. Individuals travelling to countries in or near the Arabian
Peninsula are required to be given primary healthcare services as the recommendations of

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CDC to control the further spread of the infection. Monitoring of cases closely is important
for tracking suspected or confirmed cases (Memish et al. 2013).

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References
de Groot, R.J., Baker, S.C., Baric, R.S., Brown, C.S., Drosten, C., Enjuanes, L., Fouchier,
R.A., Galiano, M., Gorbalenya, A.E., Memish, Z.A. and Perlman, S., 2013. Middle East
respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV): announcement of the Coronavirus Study
Group. Journal of virology, 87(14), pp.7790-7792.
Memish, Z.A., Al-Tawfiq, J.A., Assiri, A., AlRabiah, F.A., Al Hajjar, S., Albarrak, A.,
Flemban, H., Alhakeem, R.F., Makhdoom, H.Q., Alsubaie, S. and Al-Rabeeah, A.A., 2014.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease in children. The Pediatric infectious
disease journal, 33(9), pp.904-906.
Memish, Z.A., Zumla, A.I., Al-Hakeem, R.F., Al-Rabeeah, A.A. and Stephens, G.M., 2013.
Family cluster of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infections. New England
Journal of Medicine, 368(26), pp.2487-2494.