The world is afraid of a new epidemic after the coronavirus. Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) are concerned that a more deadly relative of the coronavirus, “camel flu” (MERS), may spread. It was warned that the disease, which caused the death of dozens of people in the last 10 years in Qatar, could spread to the world due to the fans coming to the country and trigger a new pandemic. While camels are considered to be the natural host of the virus, tourists have been urged not to touch mammals.
ONE OF EIGHT POTENTIAL INFECTION RISKS
The scientists listed MERS as one of eight potential ‘risks of infection’ that could theoretically occur during the four-week tournament. Covid-19 and monkeypox were cited as the two most likely threats. The authors of the study, published in the journal New Microbes and New Infections, stressed that the World Cup “inevitably poses risks of infectious disease”.
“CAN CARRY THE VIRUS TO OTHER COUNTRIES”
Professor Patricia Schlagenhauf, an epidemiologist at the WHO Collaborating Center for Travel Health, and colleagues Jaffar Al-Tawfiq, an infectious disease consultant at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare in Saudi Arabia, and Philippe Gautret of the University of Aix Marseille, France, say this is particularly true in Qatar and He said it applies to neighboring countries. Experts warned that the disease could spread to other countries of the world due to the large number of fans going to Qatar.
However, it was reported that about 5,000 fans from England went to Qatar. 1.2 million English fans are expected to travel to Qatar until the final matches of the 2022 World Cup.
HUMAN TO PERSON TRANSMITTED, CAMEL IS THE NATURAL HOST OF THE VIRUS
Experts explained that it is possible to transmit camels from person to person, which is believed to be the natural host of the MERS virus, which is from the same family as the virus behind the Kovid epidemic.
The UK has recorded only five cases of MERS, most recently in a tourist from the Middle East in August 2018. Researchers say it is possible for the disease to be transmitted from person to person.
On the other hand, camels are thought to be the natural host of the virus, which comes from the same family as the virus behind the Covid-19 pandemic.
“AVOID TOUCHING MAMMALS”
Experts are now advising all travelers to the region to avoid touching the mammals. For the infectious disease behind the latest warning, the scientists said they should also avoid drinking raw milk or camel urine or eating uncooked camel meat. Experts also advised anyone returning to their country with cold or flu-like MERS symptoms to seek medical advice and share travel history so that infection control and testing can be done.
On the other hand, there is no specific treatment for MERS. That’s why doctors work to alleviate the symptoms rather than cure the disease.
WHAT IS CAMEL FLU (MERS)?
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), also known as camel flu, is a serious respiratory illness that primarily occurs in the upper respiratory tract. It causes fever, cough and shortness of breath, and about 30% of people who get this disease die. The average incubation period is about 5 days, but after 2 to 14 days
There are cases where it occurs. Humans can catch MERS from infected animals. But doctors say the main source of the virus is camels in the Middle East.
The main symptoms of the disease include fever and chills, cough and shortness of breath. Less common symptoms include coughing up blood, diarrhea and vomiting.
It is recommended to wash hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or disinfect with alcohol, avoid contact with eyes, nose and mouth with dirty hands, avoid close contact with sick people and avoid contact with animals such as camels.