MERS coronavirus EMC/2012

MERS coronavirus EMC/2012

Electron micrograph of the MERS coronavirus EMC/2012

The MERS coronavirus EMC/2012 (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus EMC/2012) is a novel coronavirus that was first identified in 2012 in a patient from Saudi Arabia who had severe respiratory illness. The virus is part of the Coronaviridae family and is related to the SARS coronavirus and the common cold virus.

History[edit | edit source]

The MERS coronavirus EMC/2012 was first identified in June 2012 in a 60-year-old man from Saudi Arabia who was admitted to a hospital with severe pneumonia and acute renal failure. The virus was initially referred to as a novel coronavirus, and later named Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) due to its geographical origin and clinical presentation.

Characteristics[edit | edit source]

MERS-CoV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. It has a spherical shape with a diameter of about 125 nm. The virus has a unique set of genes that distinguishes it from other known coronaviruses.

Transmission and Symptoms[edit | edit source]

MERS-CoV is primarily transmitted from animals to humans, but it can also spread from human to human. The primary symptoms of MERS-CoV infection include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Severe cases can lead to pneumonia and kidney failure.

Prevention and Treatment[edit | edit source]

There is currently no specific treatment for MERS-CoV. Prevention strategies include avoiding close contact with sick individuals and practicing good hand hygiene. A number of vaccines are currently under development.

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