MERS What is MERS, symptoms, treatment and prevention of MERS?

The current medical and public health situation Nothing has received more attention than the outbreak of the MERS virus. Because it is the latest virus that is spreading in many countries around the world, especially in the Middle East and South Korea. And most recently, the Ministry of Public Health has confirmed the first MERS virus infection in Thailand …

What is Mers?

Mers (Mers: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) is a type of respiratory disease. caused by a strain of corona virus (Corona Virus), also known as MERS virus (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus: MERS-CoV) or EMC/2012 (HCoV-EMC/2012) since the first outbreak occurred in 2012. Originally, this strain of corona virus was often found in bats . Some species and camels are primarily bred in the Middle East where the terrain is mostly desert. Later it was found that this deadly virus had developed its own strain to be able to spread to humans. and can be contacted from person to person in the end.

Transmission of the virus from animal to person It was first detected in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. The first patient was a man in his 60s who later died of pneumonia and kidney failure. The MERS virus then spread rapidly in Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East. and distribution to various countries around the world today The coronavirus is the cause of this MERS disease. It has a similar strain to the SARS virus (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), but has more severe symptoms.

Note This virus is sometimes referred to as “Middle East coronavirus” and MERS, sometimes referred to as “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome”

Genetic data of MERS virus
Group : Group IV ((+)ssRNA)
Order: Nidovirales
Family : Coronaviridae
Subfamily : Coronavirinae
Genus : Betacoronavirus
Species: MERS-CoV

Symptoms of MERS virus infection/Mers disease patients The initial symptoms of a person who has been exposed to the MERS virus are flu-like symptoms: coughing, sneezing, high fever and shortness of breath. They may also have diarrhea and vomiting. Then there will be more severe symptoms such as pneumonia, kidney failure and respiratory failure. until eventually causing death Therefore, people who are at risk, such as recently returning from an area with an outbreak close contact with the patient If you have flu-like symptoms Immediately see a doctor for diagnosis.

Virus incubation period

The MERS virus has an incubation period of about 14 days before showing symptoms. In some cases, it was found that they did not show any symptoms of illness. thus becoming a vector and spreading germs to others unknowingly.

Contact or spread of the MERS virus

It is currently unclear how the virus spreads from person to person. But found that most infected people tend to be people with the following behaviors
– people who have traveled to the outbreak areas
– people who have been in contact with people with MERS virus in them or their carriers
– people who come into contact with pets with the virus in them
– medical personnel who treat MERS patients

MERS virus

The camel is one of the carriers of the coronavirus that causes MERS.

How to treat an infection with MERS

Currently, there are no drugs, vaccines, or tools that can directly treat the symptoms of MERS. As a result, patients have a very high mortality rate (about 30% of patients). So who is at risk? You should keep an eye on yourself. If you have flu-like symptoms See a doctor immediately.

How to protect yourself from the MERS virus

Because there is no direct drug to treat this disease. Therefore, you should protect yourself from this virus as much as possible as follows:

Avoid traveling to high-risk areas or areas with outbreaks
People who are in close contact with foreign tourists should wear a mask
Do not go near or Close contact with sick people
Avoid being in close contact with people who have colds or flu-like symptoms
Avoid crowded places
Keep a close eye on family and friends. If there are any suspicious symptoms Take him to the doctor immediately.
Exercise regularly to keep your body healthy.
Eat clean, freshly cooked food.
Wash your hands often.

MERS virus

Wear a mask when entering crowded places.

Countries with MERS outbreaks At present, cases have been found in 20 countries: Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, England , United Arab Emirates, France , Tunisia, Germany , Italy , Oman, Kuwait, Egypt, Turkey, Algeria, Indonesia , Austria, China, Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand (as of June 18, 2015. There is a report. According to the Ministry of Public Health, the first fungal infection in the country was a 75-year-old Omani man who recently arrived in Thailand.)

MERS virus
Countries where MERS is spread

MERS situation in Thailand

11 Feb 2016
, the second MERS patient in Thailand. Symptoms improved so much that it was almost normal. Able to breathe spontaneously and found no infection in the last test which have to wait for the results of the examination again If the infection is not found, it means it is cured. able to travel home

24 Jan. 2016
, Dr. Piyasakol Sakolsatayatorn, Minister of Public Health The statement confirmed that the second case of MERS in Thailand was a 71-year-old Omani man who arrived in Thailand with his son on Jan. 22, 2016, but since the disease is still an incubation period, the Thermoscan has been confirmed. at Suvarnabhumi Airport, therefore cannot be detected. But the patient had symptoms while traveling to the hotel. Therefore, he rushed to Bumrungrad Hospital. The hospital detected MERS. Therefore, the examination was repeated by Bamrasnaradura Institute and the results were the same. Therefore, the patient was transferred to the isolation room at the Bamrasnaradura Institute. Since the evening of January 23 and at the same time compiled a list of 37 people who are exposed and at risk of disease for further surveillance.

July 21, 2015
The Ministry of Public Health has confirmed that the results of the examination of suspected patients who are hospitalized at Rayong Hospital, Rayong Province, are not sick with MERS at all. It’s just the type A influenza virus, which is seasonal influenza only. The 27-year-old man had a high fever, severe cough, and watery diarrhea. After meeting with a friend who had just returned from South Korea which has symptoms similar to those of MERS virus infection The hospital therefore brought the patient into the isolation room for examination. but the MERS virus was not found.

4 Jul 2015
Ministry of Public Health and World Health Organization in Thailand Thailand has been declared a MERS-free country. Because a single patient (Oman man) recovered from MERS As for those under surveillance, they left the surveillance period without showing any signs of illness. In addition, the World Health Organization has removed Thailand from countries where the MERS virus is spreading.

3 Jul 2015
, Thailand’s first and only MERS patient has recovered. which has now left Bamrasnaradura Institute today to prepare for the next trip back to Oman

29 Jun 2015
The Ministry of Public Health reports on the progress of Oman MERS patients that their symptoms have improved significantly. able to breathe spontaneously eat by yourself and is expected to be discharged from the hospital within the next month.

Jun 28, 2015
Symptoms of an Omani patient treated at Bamrasnaradura Institute. It was found that the symptoms improved accordingly. eat by yourself pain reduction viral levels drop It is expected to recover soon.

28 Jun 2015 Test
results of Grade 5 children in Buriram province suspected to be infected with MERS virus. It turns out that it’s just a common flu. This makes it possible to resume normal classes on Monday 29 June.

27 Jun 2015
A primary school in Buriram province has been closed indefinitely. When one of the children was found to be sick after returning from South Korea. Meanwhile, Buriram Provincial Public Health has put the child into the MERS examination and screening process.

26 Jun 2015
Results of the first treatment for MERS patients in Thailand Accommodation at Bamrasnaradura Institute found that the symptoms improved greatly breathe more spontaneously eat by yourself The lung X-ray results were normal. It is expected to recover soon. The other three close relatives who traveled together All of them were found to have normal symptoms.

24 Jun 2015
The first and only MERS patient in Thailand at this time. who stay at the Bamrasnaradura Institute The symptoms improved accordingly. While no additional cases or suspects have been reported

23 Jun 2015
, Buriram Provincial Public Health reported that another person was suspected of being infected with MERS. The man was 33 years old and had recently returned from a high-risk country. The man was invited to come through the inspection and quarantine process.

23 Jun 2015
The results of the examination of a Chiang Mai patient who had just returned from South Korea had symptoms. It turned out to be sick with a common cold. Has not been infected with Middle East coronavirus or MERS-CoV in any way.

22 Jun 2015
, Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health reported a new suspect. who had just returned from South Korea with a fever and cough It has now been brought into the inspection and quarantine process. This patient is Chiang Mai’s seventh suspect, with none of the first six cases being infected with the MERS virus. It’s just the common cold and the flu.

22 Jun 2015
, Ratchaburi Provincial Public Health reported the results of the examination of suspected patients. After returning from South Korea, he had a fever. It turned out that the result turned out to be negative. This means that there is no MERS virus in any way. As a result, the number of infected people in Thailand has remained stable at 1, with 176 people being quarantined for surveillance.

Jun 21, 2015
: Repeated testing results of three suspects who boarded a plane accompanied by an Omani man infected with MERS. It is said that no such infection was found. As a result, the number of MERS cases in Thailand remained at 1 person.

20 June 2015
A Buriram woman was found sitting next to her on a plane with an Omani man infected with MERS. The preliminary results showed no symptoms of fever. Therefore, quarantine for symptoms for 14 days. In addition, there are 3 people who are under close surveillance and 175 people who are at risk of contracting the disease.

20 Jun 2015
An Omani MERS patient who is staying at Bamrasnaradura Institute has improved. pneumonia symptoms decreased Eat soft food by yourself provide a smaller amount of oxygen

20 June 2015
Buriram Provincial Public Health has rushed to find a Buriram woman who returned to Thailand by plane with an Omani man and her family infected with MERS. Initially, it was known that the woman lived in Chaloem Phrakiat District Buriram Province

20 June 2015
The World Health Organization (WHO) praises Thailand for its response to the outbreak of the coronavirus or MERS virus. After detecting the first infection

20 June 2015
The Ministry of Public Health confirmed the results of the examination of 3 relatives of the first MERS patients in Thailand. It turned out to be a common flu virus. As for the suspects in Chiang Mai, it was confirmed that they were not infected with the MERS virus. As a result, the number of MERS cases in Thailand remained the same at 1 person.

19 June 2015 : A suspected MERS infection was found in Chiang Mai. Due to high fever and cough after returning from South Korea

19 June 2015 An Omani man, the first MERS patient in Thailand, has improved. but still can’t breathe on its own It was reported that three relatives of the patients who were traveling with them became ill. The officers have been closely monitoring and monitoring the symptoms.

18 Jun 2015 Found the first Mer virus patient in Thailand. He is an Omani man who came to Thailand with his family. The first patient has been confirmed by the Ministry of Public Health. There are 66 more people under surveillance.

18 June 2015 , the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand issued additional ministerial regulations. to prescribe MERS or Middle East respiratory syndrome It is a contagious disease that must be reported and is a dangerous contagious disease. As a result, all parties involved must provide the highest level of protection.

MERS virus disease is a highly contagious disease. Since the SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak several years ago, It is a disease that does not have a direct cure. Therefore, you should be careful not to get infected. If in doubt about their risks, they should seek medical attention. Several medical reports indicate that MERS is not highly contagious. However, we should not put ourselves at risk of getting the disease. Should at least adhere to the principle … aware but not panic and safety first

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