MERS in The United States

Summary:

MERS, Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome, is a coronavirus, which is in the same group of viruses as the common cold. An Indiana man was diagnosed with MERS on May 2. This is the first case according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He traveled to Saudi Arabia where it is believed he contracted it. There is no vaccine or special treatment for it. It can be fatal. There have been more than 570 confirmed cases, and 171 deaths. There have been now 18 countries that have had a case of MERS. The origin of the virus is unknown but evidence shows that it may come from camels.

Relevance:

The relevance is to our study of the respiratory system. MERS is spread through human to human transmissions. This suggests that the virus is air born and is passed through the inhale of oxygen and exhale of carbon dioxide. It also connects to the immune system because MERS is an attack on the immune system. And it connects to our study of pathogens, because MERS is a virus, and there have not been a vaccine found that can help cure or prevent it. Suggesting it may have become immune to certain antiviral drugs over time.

Citation:

January 3, 2014http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/17/health/mers-case-u-s-/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

CNN

 Chelsea J. Carter and Caleb Hellerman

 Mon May 19, 2014