Introduction: As discussed in previous Pearls, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a recently emerged respiratory viral infection that is caused by a single stranded, positive-sense RNA novel coronavirus.

 

Updates:

As of August 12^th, 2015, WHO has received reports of:

• 1413 laboratory confirmed cases
• 502 deaths

 

The current reported case fatality rate is approximately 36%

 

Recent outbreaks have included

• Wide spread dissemination in Korea, which impacted multiple hospitals and near-by countries
• A very recent outbreak at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia which has closed an emergency ward for two weeks. Of the approximately 46 people currently reported infected, at least 15 were medical personnel.

 

Bottom Line:

MERS-CoV is significantly contagious respiratory virus with high lethality.  It is spread primarily as an airborne virus, though the CDC currently recommends both standard contact and airborne precautions. There is currently no vaccine and only supportive treatment is advised.

 

Don’t be a vector or have your emergency department be a nidus of infection! Take appropriate precautions, including:

• Minimize chances of exposure when patients arrive
  • Have them wear a face mask if they have respiratory symptoms
  • During triage and throughout the visit, have patients adhere to respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, hand hygiene
• Adhere to standard contact and airborne precautions
• Use caution when performing aerosol-generating procedures

References

http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/about/index.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/saudi-arabia-closes-hospital-ward-after-spike-in-middle-east-respiratory-syndrome-mers-cases/

http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/infection-prevention-control.html

http://www.who.int/csr/don/18-august-2015-mers-saudi-arabia/en/