Spectators watching the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022 are at risk of contracting Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), also known as camel flu. A WHO report claims the crowd of 1.2 million at FIFA may be a factor in the spread of the virus.
Scientists have identified camel flu as a risk of infection during the four-week sporting event in a study published in the journal “New Microbes and New Infections.” Let’s learn more about this deadly virus, including its cause, symptoms, diagnosis and prevention.
What is camel flu?
Most cases of camel flu have occurred in the Arabian Peninsula, according to Egyptian doctor Ali Mohamed Zaki, who discovered the first case in June 2012 at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. As of January 2021, more than 2,500 cases have been reported, including 45 cases in 2020. The disease claimed the lives of approximately 35% of those diagnosed with it.
What is werewolf syndrome?
Symptoms
The virus has been referred to as the Saudi Arabian SARS-like virus because early reports compared it to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). And taking note, the following are the most typical signs of illness:
- Fever
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Myalgia
- Gastrointestinal discomfort with diarrhea.
- Vomiting and indigestion
- Abdominal pain
However, MERS or camel flu can also be asymptomatic several times.
Causes
The MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which differs from the SARS coronavirus and the common cold coronavirus by having single-stranded RNA, is the cause of Middle East respiratory syndrome. Their genomes are phylogenetically divided into Clades A and B. The first cases of MERS (EMC/2012 and Jordan-N3/2012) belonged to Clade A groups, while new cases are generally genetically distinct (Clade B). Both LLC-MK2 cells and Vero cells promote rapid growth of the virus.
Diagnosis
A confirmed case is determined in a person with a positive laboratory test through “molecular diagnosis that includes a positive PCR on at least two specific genomic targets or a single positive target with sequencing on a second,” as stated by the World Health Organization .
The other two ways to diagnose camel flu infection in a person are:
medical images
Chest radiographs (ARDS) frequently show bilateral patchy infiltrates consistent with viral pneumonitis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The lower lobes tend to be more active. Interstitial infiltrates are visible on CT scans.
Lab test
Low white blood cell counts, particularly low lymphocyte counts, have been associated with cases of MERS. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises collecting samples for PCR testing from the lower respiratory tract, as these have the highest viral loads: bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), sputum sample or tracheal aspirate. Additionally, there have been studies using nasopharyngeal swabs to sample the upper respiratory system.
Prevention
Currently, the WHO advises that all people who come into contact with MERS suspects should take the following preventive measures, although the mechanism of spread of the CoVs that transmit MERS is not yet understood. These include:
- Put on a mask.
- Wear a pair of glasses (i.e. goggles or a face shield)
- Put on gloves and a clean, non-sterile long-sleeved gown.
- Practice good hand hygiene before and after coming into contact with someone and their environment, as well as immediately after removing any personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Wear a particulate respirator, and before putting on a disposable respirator, make sure the seal is intact.
- For some procedures that involve high volumes of liquid that could leak through the gown, use a waterproof apron.
- Carry out procedures in a room with sufficient ventilation.
- Keep the number of people in the room to the minimum necessary for the care and support of the person.
Avian flu: symptoms, causes and treatment
There is no specific vaccine or treatment for the disease as of 2022, but several are being developed. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises people who interact with camels to wash their hands afterwards and refrain from touching the sick ones. They also advocate properly cooking food made from camels. Treatments can be used to relieve symptoms and support healthy functioning of the body.
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Source: ptivs2.edu.vn