The Ministry of Health has recommended preventive measures against theMiddle East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) that isspreading in many countries around the world.

Theministry’s Preventive Medicine Centre advised people to minimise directcontact with acute respiratory syndrome patients, while maintainingpersonal hygiene and living in an airy environment.

Those who come to or return from countries with MERS-CoV should applyintensive measures to prevent the dangerous infectious disease, itrecommended.

The centre added that people shouldimmediately get to a healthcare centre if they have symptoms of feverabove 38 degrees, breathing difficulties or a bad cough.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as of May 17, therewere 537 MERS infections reported in 19 countries, with 145 deaths.

WHO warned that the disease is likely to continue spreading to othercountries due to affected people travelling. However, it has yet toadvise any special inspections at border gates or travel restrictions inaffected countries.

MERS is a viral respiratorydisease caused by a rare coronavirus that was first identified in SaudiArabia in 2012. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cancause diseases ranging from the common cold to Severe Acute RespiratorySyndrome (SARS).

A typical case of MERS consists of afever, cough and shortness of breath. Pneumonia is a common finding onexamination. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea, have alsobeen reported. Severe illness can cause respiratory failure thatrequires mechanical ventilation and support in an intensive care unit.Some patients have had organ failure, especially of the kidneys, orseptic shock.

Approximately 27% of patients with MERShave died. The virus appears to cause more severe diseases in peoplewith weakened immune systems, older people, and those with such chronicdiseases as diabetes, cancer, and lung disease.-VNA