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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V O L U M E 9 • I S S U E 7 • J U LY 2 0 1 5
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.
ActiveLink is an employee benefits management firm focused on corporate healthcare benefits. Our thrusts are to deliver a cost-efficient HMO plan and to ensure successful implementation through excellent customer service support and the use of our benefits portal (www.benefitsmadebetter.com).
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Looking to enhance your corporate healthcare benefits? E-mail us at benefits@activelinkbenefits.com. 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