A man entered an Indiana hospital on April 28th, after experiencing fever, cough and shortness of breath, the previous day, which are all symptoms of Middle East Respiratory Virus (MERS) . The man had came back from Saudi Arabia on April 24th. Because of his trip to Saudi Arabia, the health officials in Indiana tested him for MERS and sent the sample to the Center of Disease Control (CDC). The CDC tested the sample and confirmed that the patent has the virus.
Thermal senors that used in China and other countries to prevent ill travelers from entering the country are said not to be helpful. because of the virus' 14 day incubation period, so travelers will not be quarantined and stopped in time.
This has been the first case of MERS showing up in the United States, and it not be the last. The virus has a 14 day incubation period, so many will not know they have it until then and when the symptoms begin to show. The CDC doesn't know much about he virus, because the lack of cooperation with countries in the Middle East, where the virus is most prominent will not share their samples. The illness is said to come from bats and camels and passed on to humans.
Egypt also had their first case of MERS reported on April 26th, and so far since 2012 262 cases have been reported. So far researches do not know how the virus is spread, but as stated before believe there is a link between camel and human interaction. There is also no vaccine as of right now and the only way MERS can be treated is like a fever.
So stay well and wash your hands often.
Sources
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/02/us-usa-health-mers-idUSBREA410SN20140502?feedType=RSS
http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/02/health/mers-5-things/?hpt=hp_t1
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