Coronavirus - MERS - CoV is a threat to the entire world

30 May 2013

Another new virus causing great concern as a man in France dies from the virus that originated in the Middle East and another man who shared a hospital room with him has contracted the virus. Exactly how the virus spread between the two patients remains unclear, but as with SARS, transmission through large droplets is the most likely route, the report says. But it also notes that the patient's Diarrhoea—a condition that occurred in SARS patients as well—might have contaminated the environment meaning that respirator masks and hand hygiene could play a vital role in preventing its spread.

This new virus is called Coronavirus or MERS cov. The World Health Organization warned this week that the virus is "a threat to the entire world." The virus comes on like a cold, attacking the respiratory system and bringing severe fever and cough, which can result in pneumonia and kidney failure. First identified in humans in September, is now their greatest global concern. The MERS-CoV virus is related to SARS, which killed some 800 people in a global epidemic in 2003.

Dr Margaret Chan, head of the WHO, singled out the illness in a speech on Monday in Geneva. 'We understand too little about this virus when viewed against the magnitude of its potential threat,' Chan said at the annual WHO meeting. 'We do not know where the virus hides in nature. We do not know how people are getting infected. 'Until we answer these questions, we are empty-handed when it comes to prevention. These are alarm bells. And we must respond. 'She said the 'novel coronavirus is a threat to the entire world. 'WHO said in an update earlier this month that 20 of the 40 confirmed cases of the disease have ended in death.

If you haven't made a pandemic business continuity plan then it maybe a good time to do so. Protect front of house/ key personnel using our pandemic protection kits that contain medical respirator masks that protect against droplets/ mists, Spirigel Complete fully virucidal hand gel and surface wipes. These kits can be tailored to fit your needs.

Share on: