CDC is concerned about MERS-CoV.

CDC link


sydney herald link

lancet

France reports possible new case of Mers virus

A few links for those who want to look further as plenty of info out there.

Pretty high death rate so far and as so many people pilgrimage to this part of the world it could well spread quickly - would like to know more on how easily it spreads but from reading above looks like this could be our next doom porn.

Apologies if this is already posted but didn't see it in this forum.

reply to post by johnb

Since June, 2012, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has, worldwide, caused 104 infections in people including 49 deaths, with 82 cases and 41 deaths reported from Saudi Arabia. In addition to confirming diagnosis, we generated the MERS-CoV genomic sequences obtained directly from patient samples to provide important information on MERS-CoV transmission, evolution, and origin.

That is from your 3rd source. www.thelancet.com...(13)61887-5/abstract

It does not seem to be highly contagious at this point. The CDC has to cover itself and certainly any virus has potential to become a pandemic. However at 'Level 1', and with no travel cautions or bans, I would say at this point a heads up is appropriate, but no real concern. Large crowds like the pilgrimage ones are great opportunities for the spread of any respiratory virus because of the impossible to avoid close contact. With so few getting sick given the huge numbers available, seems not an occasion for worry.

I will keep an eye on this thread just in case if anything new about the virus comes to pass.

Thank you for your thread.

s&f

reply to post by johnb



posted on May, 25 2013 @ 02:34 PM by iunlimited491: "An Unusual Global Situation." - New H7N9 & MERS Coronavirus, Threaten an Unprecedented Pandemic.

UPDATE - of greater interest than rehash. There's more evidence that MERS comes from bats, and if MERS is like the newly discovered SARS-like virus, it may be able to jump directly from bats to humans.

More Evidence MERS Came from Bats

Genomic analysis suggests that the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus circulated among bats for a while before jumping to humans.

…a SARS-like virus remains loose in the wild and could potentially spark another outbreak.

"It changes the equation" for public health, said Peter Daszak, a senior author of the study and president of EcoHealth Alliance, a group involved in conservation and global health. "We can close all the markets in China and still have a pandemic."

…A year ago, scientists reported the emergence of a novel coronavirus, called Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS. It has since been reported in people in several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Germany, France, Italy, Britain and other parts of the Persian Gulf. Oman reported its first case on Wednesday, according to local reports.

…Research has suggested local bats may be a host for MERS, though the findings aren't definitive.

reply to post by johnb

Seems a bit coincidental to me that a region or race specific virus has found its way into the Middle East.

Q: What is MERS-CoV?

A: MERS-CoV is a beta coronavirus. It was first reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. MERS-CoV used to be called “novel coronavirus,” or “nCoV”. It is different from other coronaviruses that have been found in people before.

I recall an interview with an Iraqi shortly after the 2003 invasion. Asked about the US' attack and occupation, the Iraqi gentleman stated "the US will now give us the AIDS virus".

But all too often these plans backfire.

Possible New Case of Deadly MERS Virus Reported in France.

Oops.