University Public Health: MERS-CoV Data, Surveillance, and Analysis

This discussion board post examines MERS-CoV, a respiratory disease caused by a coronavirus, focusing on its public health implications, particularly in Saudi Arabia. The assignment analyzes statistical data, including WHO reports on case numbers and mortality rates, and discusses the importance of public health education in understanding the disease's impact on different age groups. It explores effective surveillance methods like molecular and serology tests, emphasizing their role in measuring disease burden, monitoring trends, and identifying high-risk factors. The conclusion highlights the significance of surveillance in determining mortality and morbidity rates related to MERS-CoV, emphasizing the importance of public health interventions to address the concern.

Running Head: Public Health Concerns
MERS cov- A Public health concern in Saudi Arabia
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Authors Note

1MERS cov- A Public health concern in Saudi Arabia
Introduction
MERS-Cov, is one of the most common respiratory diseases, which is caused by a
particular virus named Coronavirus. This virus is transmitted from camel to human beings
and specially found in the desert areas. Transmission can be possible in person to person from
close contact between two individuals. This assignment will focus on the importance of
statistical information and surveillance system in enhancement of public health.
Discussion
Statistical data related to the health concern
According to a report of WHO, 2494 cases are updated by the laboratories since 2012
and among these cases 854 deaths have been reported (www.who.int. 2020). In 27 countries
are reported to have the signs of this disease. In Eastern Mediterranean Region, 12 countries
are reported to be affected by the disease within April 2012. In an average 150 cases of
MERS-Cov are reported by the healthcare workers. The people of group of age from 50yrs.to
59yrs. are reported to be affected with highest percentage of risk in primary cases (Ramshaw
et al., 2019). On the contrary people from the age group of 70-79 years are affected by the
secondary type of MERS –Cov (www.publichealthontario.ca. 2020). The case fatality
proportion is 35 % approximately.
Importance of studying public health in this matter
The reality of health conditions among the people should be understood by the help of
the public health education. Determinants for different health related problems can be
explained by people of a particular country. With the help of public health education,
percentage and rate of occurrence among population can be measured. The surveillance
procedures can be decided for a specific public health concern.

2MERS cov- A Public health concern in Saudi Arabia
Effective surveillance method
Crude mortality determines death in the total population irrespective of age
dissemination. Life expectancy is the design of the normal age of death of a definite
population. Visual triage is one of the best method for observing the occurrence of MERS-
Cov among the population of Saudi Arabia. There are two phases which are types of
surveillance methods; such as molecular test and serology test (Kim et al., 2016). Molecular
tests describe for the proofs of the active infections. Serology tests can detect previous
infection and identification of the antibodies. Serology tests are for surveillance or
identification resolutions and not for indicative purposes.
Importance of surveillance method
Surveillances are important for measuring the disease burden and monitoring the
trends over the time with the changes and for identifying the high risk factors in the
populations. The surveillance method helps in the prevalence of the affected condition of
MERS-Cov and identification of the determinants associated with the disease. This will
evaluate the changes of local public health interventions.
Conclusion
The assignment is concluded that the risk factors of MARS-Cov in Saudi Arabia and
the rate of occurrence of any disease. Surveillance methods related to MERS-Cov can
determine the mortality and morbidity rate.

3MERS cov- A Public health concern in Saudi Arabia
References
Kim, C. J., Choi, W. S., Jung, Y., Kiem, S., Seol, H. Y., Woo, H. J., ... & Kim, E. S. (2016).
Surveillance of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus (CoV)
infection in healthcare workers after contact with confirmed MERS patients:
incidence and risk factors of MERS-CoV seropositivity. Clinical Microbiology and
Infection, 22(10), 880-886.
Ramshaw, R. E., Letourneau, I. D., Hong, A. Y., Hon, J., Morgan, J. D., Osborne, J. C., ... &
Pigott, D. M. (2019). a database of geopositioned Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
Coronavirus occurrences. Scientific Data, 6(1), 1-13.
www.publichealthontario.ca/. (2020). Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
(MERS-CoV) | Public Health Ontario. Public Health Ontario.
www.who.int. (2020). Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Who.int.