A Slice of Orange July 2015 Mers Cov

V O L U M E 9 • I S S U E 7 • J U LY 2 0 1 5

Refreshing Your Health

YOUR MERS COV PRIMER • MERS CoV Basics • Tracking the MERS CoV transmission • MERS CoV Coverage • MERS CoV Travel Advisories • Are you at risk of MERS CoV? • Controlling MERS CoV

Your MERS CoV Primer EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS NEW OUTBREAK Another virus is making the rounds, both among its victims in the headlines. As the threat of Ebola wanes, here comes MERS CoV.

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MERS CoV is short for Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. This virus was discovered in humans only in 2012, but is now causing havoc in affected areas, killing 3 of every 10 of its victims. Here’s what you need to know about MERS CoV.

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MERS CoV Basics • It is a virus. Antibiotics do not work

on it.

• It infects the lungs and airways.

V O L U M E 9 • I S S U E 7 • J U LY 2 0 1 5

Tracking the MERS CoV transmission

MERS CoV Coverage

COVERAGE

reported case of MERS CoV infection:

These are the countries with at least 1 Middle East/Africa: Jordan, Qatar,

• People who get sick with MERS

experience fever, cough, and

difficulty of breathing.

Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Algeria Asia: Bangladesh, South Korea, China,

• A few people also get chills, body

aches, sore throat, headache,

diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, and

runny nose.

Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines Americas: United States Europe: Austria, The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Greece, Italy

• 3 out of 10 people with MERS CoV

could die. Almost all patients who

have died have other medical

problems. The very young and very

old are also at risk.

• It can infect humans of any age.

• There is no known treatment except

supportive treatment until the

infection subsides.

• The best way to fight MERS CoV

is prevention.

• There is no vaccine yet for

MERS CoV.

MERS CoV originated in the Arabian

MERS CoV Travel Advisories

Peninsula in 2012.

Travel to Korea

• Outside the Arabian Peninsula, it has

- Alert Level 1

already spread to 20 other countries

- No travel ban

• It can be transmitted through the air

- Practice usual precautions

when coughing.

Travel to Saudi Arabia

• But generally, close contact is

- Alert Level 2

needed for transmission.

- No travel ban

• Most people who got infected were

- Practice special precautions

in close contact with other infected

people.

When travelling to Korea or

• It takes 2 to 14 days for

MERS CoV

Saudi Arabia:

symptoms to appear.

• Many other things are still not

• Wash your hands often.

known about how MERS CoV

• Avoid touching your face.

is transmitted.

• Avoid contact with sick people.

• Monitor yourself for 14 days.

• Inform your doctor of any travel to

MIDDLE EASTERN RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONAVIRUS CARRIER

Korea or Saudi Arabia.

PERIOD

DEATH

3 10 OUT OF

SYMPTOMS

VOMITING

COUGHING

FEVER

HEADACHE

DIARRHEA

STOMACH PAIN

NO VACCINE

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Are you at risk of MERS CoV?

Controlling MERS CoV

• Recent Travelers from the Arabian

The measures to avoid MERS CoV is the same as the preventive measures for other

Peninsula

viruses that infect the lungs and airways (such as the flu, measles, colds, pneumonia,

• People who have close contact

tuberculosis, etc). These are:

with sick travelers from the Arabian Peninsula

• Wash your hands often

• Clean and disinfect

with soap and water for

frequently touched surfaces

20 seconds.

and objects, such as

• If soap and water are not

doorknobs.

available, use an alcohol-

• If you or your loved ones

• People with exposure to camels,

based hand sanitizer.

get symptoms of MERS,

camel milk, camel urine, or

• Teach children how to

the best place to get treat-

uncooked camel meat.

wash and sanitize their

ment is a hospital emer-

hands.

gency room. Call ahead

• Cover your nose and

to inform them that you

mouth with a tissue when

may have MERS CoV so

you cough or sneeze, then

that they can make

throw the tissue in the trash.

necessary preparations.

• People who have been to a clinic or hospital in South Korea • People who had close contact with a person with confirmed MERS CoV infection

• Avoid touching your eyes, If you are any of the above, monitor yourself for symptoms of MERS CoV for 14 days. If symptoms appear, call the hospital ahead stating you could have MERS CoV before proceeding to the hospital.

nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid personal contact, such as kissing, or sharing cups or eating utensils, with sick people.

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The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care.

Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2015 ActiveLink

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A Slice of Orange

is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.

Editorial team Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes-Delfin Ivan Olegario, MD