"Frosted" (frostedbuns)
05/18/2014 at 13:53 • Filed to: None
6
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"Frosted" (frostedbuns)
05/18/2014 at 13:53 • Filed to: None | 6
| 3 |
So today there has been a lot of news about a third man contracting MERS here in the United States. A lot of folks may not know what MERS is as it is a relatively new virus world wide and brand new one here in the United States. I looked at a couple of articles about this virus and it seems that media outlets aren't saying what MERS is but rather how many people have died from it. Let's get those numbers out of the way. MERS first emerged in 2012, it has since infected almost 600 people people total, of that, only 172 people have died as a result. The virus is primarily in Saudi Arabia, hence the full name (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome) but is spreading slowly as a result of people vacationing or taking business trips there. It is a viral respiratory illness with symptoms that include fever, coughing and shortness of breath. Until last year, MERS was considered a SARS-like virus.
The virus is transmitted through sustained close-contact. So living with someone who has MERS already and healthcare workers are at some risk. So far, all three of the US citizens who have contracted MERS are said to be healthy and not feeling ill at all. In 2 years this has killed 172 people, roughly 30% of the people who have contracted the virus. That's a fairly sizeable number until we look at how many people were/are infected, only 570 thus far. That's not such a big number. Yes it is a virus that is spreading and has caused fatalities but it's still primarily a middle eastern concern that does need monitoring. At this time there are no travel restrictions.
MERS is not a virus that can transmit from person to person quickly or easily. The chance of you becoming infected is low and, at this time, does not show signs of changing. The CDC and WHO are monitoring travelers to and from the middle east with hopes to catch anyone who shows signs of infection. Anyone traveling to the middle east, especially the arabian peninsula, are cautioned to wash hands, cover mouth and nose when sneezing and exercise normal anti-germ spreading habits. If you feel sick within 14 days of returning, report to a healthcare professional and mention the trip.
From the CDC website - The MERS situation in the U.S. represents a very low risk to the general public in this country.
The third man to be infected with MERS is not considered an official case by CDC definitions.
Really, the CDC does not want anyone to panic but rather to just be aware.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2013_0…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ea…
http://www.cdc.gov/CORONAVIRUS/ME…
http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/me…
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
I personally am just tired of seeing all these "ANOTHER MAN HAS THE DEADLY VIRUS HERE IN THE US" headlines and wanted to put something together so folks know it isn't the next bubonic plague like some media outlets are making it out to be.
PheeNoIVI
> Frosted
05/18/2014 at 13:58 |
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Very good post for us hypochondriacs out there! Worth reading for sure.
pdthedeuce
> Frosted
05/18/2014 at 14:36 |
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well , the Missing Plane story is getting old , so they need something else to be "the big story".
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Frosted
> pdthedeuce
05/18/2014 at 14:49 |
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MERS is kinda a big deal but they're just creating fear that doesn't need to exist with this. By the way come play video games and stop having a life.