Middle East Respiratory syndrome(MERS)

Question 1

Etiology

Answer 1

Coronavirus - MERS CoV

Question 2

Epidemiology and origin

Answer 2

Saudi Arabia
All cases outside Arabian Peninsula developed illness after returning or
through close contact with infected individuals.

Question 3

Reservoir

Answer 3

Dromedary(arabian) camels

Question 4

Case definition(WHO)

Answer 4

Confirmed case: Lab
Probable case:
- Febrile acute respiratory illness with clinical, radiographic or
histopathologic evidence of pulmonary parenchymal disease
AND
- Direct epidemiologic link with a confirmed MERS-CoV case AND
- Testing for MERS-CoV unavailable

Question 5

Presentation

Answer 5

Evaluate 14 days post a possible exposure
- Fever w/ or w/o chills or rigors
- Cough, SOB, hemoptysis, sore throat
- GI sx- diarrhea, vomiting
- Abnormal chest radiograph
● Disproportionately high or severe illness if comorbidities
present
- DM HTN, chronic cardiac dx, chronic kidney dx

Question 6

Diagnostic Test

Answer 6

rRT-PCR or Serology; serum LRT or URT secretions

Question 7

Prevention

Answer 7

Standard, contact & airborne precautions