New Killer Virus; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Korea Republic affected

Just when we thought we were done with Ebola, there is new virus in town called Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Since May, the Republic of Korea has had an outbreak of MERS. See more after the cut

It is the largest known outbreak of MERS outside the Middle East since 2012 when the virus was discovered. There have now been four confirmed deaths and 41 people diagnosed with the virus in Korea Republic, In addition, 1,500 people have been quarantined after having been exposed to the virus at a conference, and more than 1,300 schools have closed in an attempt to contain the spread. MERS is a viral respiratory illness new to human kind. It was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and has since spread to several other countries including USA. People infected with MERS develop severe accute respiratory illness, including fever, cough, shortness of breath and most die.So far, all cases of MERS have been linked to countries in and near the Arabian Peninsula.

MERS can be spread from ill people to others through close contact, such as caring for or living with an infected person. It can affect anyone from children to adults.

SYMPTOMS
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
Gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea and Nausea/vomiting
Severe complications such as pneumonia and kidney failure


There is no known cure for MERS Yet