How to avoid the Mers virus, according to health officials

Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers) is a viral disease affecting the respiratory system. It is caused by a coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) which was first discovered in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Mers is considered a deadlier but less infectious cousin of Severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars), which killed more than 200 people in Hong Kong in 2003.

According to the WHO, the virus appears to hit most severely people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer and lung disease.

The virus does not seem to pass easily from person to person unless there is close contact, according to the global health body.

Symptoms

• Fever, cough, and shortness of breath
• Pneumonia
• Gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea
• In severe cases, respiratory failure or organ failure (especially of the kidneys) or septic shock. This requires intensive care.