Health officials from South Korea have confirmed that there is a case of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in the country.
The patient had recently been to Bahrain and passed through Qatar on his way back to South Korea. On his trip, the 68-year-old man stayed in Bahrain from April 18 to May 3, engaging in farming-related activities. He flew back to South Korea on May 4 and was treated for cough and a high fever. He is in stable condition now. His wife, who nursed him and may have been exposed to MERS as well, was exhibiting minor respiratory symptoms. Her test results should be available within the week.
"There is no possibility of the disease spreading to ordinary people although it is possible to have additional cases among those who contacted the patient and have been isolated," said Kim Young-taek, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director.
MERS was first identified in 2012 in humans. The condition is caused by a coronavirus, the same family of viruses responsible for the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in China back in 2003. According to the World Health Organization, there are 1,118 reported cases, with 423 deaths. Cases of MERS usually surge in the northern spring, and generally result from hospital transmissions.
Most people diagnosed with MERS have severe acute respiratory illness and manifest symptoms like coughs, fevers and shortness of breath. Some though exhibit gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and diarrhea. Around 3 to 4 out of 10 people diagnosed with MERS have died. Those who do live, however, sometimes have to deal with severe complications like kidney failure and pneumonia.
It is important to note though that many of those who succumbed to MERS were already suffering from underlying medical conditions, like cancer, diabetes, and chronic heart, lung and kidney disease. Those with weakened immune systems are also likelier to acquire MERS or end up with a severe case of an infection.
Current information on MERS show that the disease has an incubation period of two to 14 days although five to six days is the most common span of time in which the disease takes hold in a patient.
There is no known cure or vaccine to prevent MERS so the best ways to avoid an infection is to wash hands frequently with soap and water, clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and steer clear of sick individuals. In severe cases, treatment may include care to support vital organ functions.
Photo: William Brawley | Flickr
