Coronavirus presentation by Leyla Rashidli

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)-Important Public Health Threat

LEYLA RASHIDLI Jeddah International Turkish School, Grade 11/D(FLDC/YD)

INTRODUCTION• Communicable diseases are leading cause of morbidity

and mortality around the world• Whenever a new virus associated with an acute

respiratory illness emerges, medical authorities around the world are put on high alert and vigilance

• The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a new coronavirus that has not been seen in humans before and has occurred only in residents of or travellers to certain Middle East countries.

How it started?

• In September 2012, a novel coronavirus (later called MERS-CoV) was isolated from a patient in Saudi Arabia who had died of an acute respiratory illness and renal failure.

• Since September 2012, 180 confirmed infections with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been reported to the World Health Organization, including 77 deaths.

• MERS-CoV is a new infection and there are many gaps in our knowledge that will inevitably take time to fill in.

What is the source of MERS-CoV?• It is not known for certain where the virus came

from, however, it likely came from an animal source.

• In addition to humans, MERS-CoV has been found in camels in Qatar and a bat in Saudi Arabia.

• However, we don’t know whether camels are the source of the virus.

• More information is needed to identify the possible role that camels, bats, and other animals may play in the transmission of MERS-CoV.

Transmission of MERS-Cov

Transmission

• MERS-CoV does not spread easily from person to person.

• In the cases where it has appeared to have spread between people, those cases involved close contacts: family members, co-workers, fellow patients and healthcare workers.

What is the current situation?• 180 confirmed infections with MERS-CoV have

been reported to the World Health Organization, including 77 deaths.

• All the cases have been linked to six countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula.

• This virus has spread from ill people to others through close contact.

Survival of CoronavirusesCoronaviruses are fairly fragile,

surviving outside the body for only about 24 hours;

They are easily destroyed by detergents and cleaning agents;

Cleaning environmental surfaces with water and detergent and applying commonly used disinfectants (such as hypochlorite) is an effective and sufficient procedure.

• Ian Jones; New Coronavirus, The Guardian, 13 May, 2013• WHO Infection prevention and control during health care for probable or confirmed

cases of novel coronavirus (nCoV) infection. Interim guidance - 6 May 2013

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?

http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/CoronaNew/PublicationsAwareness/Pages/003.aspx

TIPS FOR EVERYONE

http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/CoronaNew/PublicationsAwareness/Pages/003.aspx

TIPS FOR EVERYONE

http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/CoronaNew/PublicationsAwareness/Pages/003.aspx

TIPS FOR EVERYONE

http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/CoronaNew/PublicationsAwareness/Pages/003.aspx

TAKE HOME MESSAGE• There is no a sustained spread of infection in

communities , however, the situation is still evolving.• Experts do not have enough

information on the virus to make specific treatment recommendations or to develop vaccine

• Don’t panic! Get informed. Be prepared.

• Compliance with mentioned preventive measures is only protective approach of population to avoid MERS-CoV

Thank you!