2012 Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak

2012 Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak

  File:MERS-CoV virion.jpg

Electron micrograph of a MERS-CoV virion

Disease	[[Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)|Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)]]
Virus strain	[[MERS-CoV|MERS-CoV]]
First case
Origin	[[|{{{origin}}}]]
Date	2012
Confirmed cases	2,494 (as of 2020)
Suspected cases
Recovered
Deaths	858
Territories

The 2012 Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak was the first known outbreak of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), a viral respiratory illness caused by the MERS-CoV coronavirus. The outbreak began in Saudi Arabia and subsequently spread to several other countries in the Middle East, as well as to Europe, Asia, and North America through travelers.

Background

Middle East respiratory syndrome is a viral respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (MERS-CoV) that was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. The virus is believed to have originated in camels, which are considered the primary source of infection for humans. MERS-CoV is part of the same family of viruses as the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Epidemiology

The first known case of MERS was reported in June 2012 in a 60-year-old man in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The virus was subsequently identified in other countries in the Middle East, including Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Cases were also reported in Europe, Asia, and North America, primarily among travelers who had visited the Middle East.

The outbreak was characterized by a high mortality rate, with approximately 35% of reported cases resulting in death. The majority of cases were linked to human-to-human transmission in healthcare settings, although zoonotic transmission from camels was also documented.

Clinical Features

MERS presents with a range of symptoms, from mild respiratory illness to severe pneumonia and multi-organ failure. Common symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Severe cases can lead to respiratory failure, requiring mechanical ventilation and support in an intensive care unit.

Prevention and Control

Efforts to control the outbreak focused on infection prevention and control measures in healthcare settings, as well as public health campaigns to raise awareness about the risks of camel contact. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other health agencies issued guidelines for the management of MERS cases and the prevention of further transmission.

Research and Development

Research into MERS-CoV has focused on understanding the virus's transmission dynamics, developing diagnostic tests, and creating vaccines. Several vaccine candidates have been developed, but as of 2023, no vaccine has been approved for widespread use.

Also see

• Middle East respiratory syndrome
• Coronavirus
• Severe acute respiratory syndrome
• COVID-19 pandemic
• Zoonosis