MERS Virus Spreads to More Countries: Saudi Arabia Takes Measures Further

The recent MERS virus outbreak in Saudi Arabia has lasted nearly two weeks and increased the total case count from 285 to over 350. In the last couple of days, officials reported MERS cases in other countries, alarming international health experts.

MERS cases were documented in Egypt, Malaysia, Greece, Yemen, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Although MERS antibodies were discovered today by Chinese and American scientists, there is no vaccine or treatment available for the acute respiratory disease. The first case recorded in Egypt was found in a traveler who came back from Saudi Arabia.

Camels were confirmed as the main source of MERS transmission to humans because the strain that the animals are infected with is nearly identical to the strain that infects people. Researchers from Columbia University, King Saud University, and the EcoHealth Alliance ran genetic tests from nasal swabs taken from camels.

Today, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education announced the first infection-prevention program for the virus in the country's 34,000 schools. Health officials are unsure why the spread has occurred in such an abrupt manner, but Saudi Arabia is hoping to do all they can to mitigate its spread.

"What's important is what we do to protect ourselves, our families and guests," said Health Minister Adel M. Fakieh in this Wall Street Journal article.

Nurah Alamro, a Saudi doctor added, "It's too early to tell, just in a week now, but they have taken many decisions that are relieving from a public-health point," in the same article. "We just wanted the Ministry of Health to listen to people, and listen to health workers."

Unfortunately, many of those infected were health care workers. Doctors were told to not wear protective masks so they wouldn't alarm patients, but that has proven ineffective. Drug manufacturers hope to develop a vaccination for MERS after yesterday's antibody discoveries so the doctors and health care workers can take the most preventive measures when caring for patients.

Until then international experts will be collaborating to contain the disease and further expedite the process to develop a vaccine or effective treatment.