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Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director)
While the health authorities in the United Kingdom take seriously the risk of spreading MERS, this camel virus known in the Middle East, should we really fear a World Cup effect?
The World Cup is over, and with it, there are thousands of football fans who are currently on their way to their respective countries. But if they bring back good memories (or tears) in their luggage, let’s hope they leave behind the MERS virus, the camel virus, present in Qatar. Some countries, such as Australia, the United Kingdom or the United States, have issued warnings on this subject. Are we at risk of a new epidemic? What are the measures to take?
What is MERS?
In the early days of the World Cup, we discussed what this camel virus is. The MERS, an English acronym for “middle east respiratory syndrome” is a zoonotic virus (transmissible from animals to humans) of the coronavirus family, linked to exposure to camels or their products (meat and milk).
A virus that causes fever, cough, shortness of breath and stomach upset. Respiratory failure can thus occur in the most fragile subjects, leading to death. According to official figures, MERS is fatal in 35% of cases, much more than Covid, but the World Health Organization concedes that very many cases may escape its surveillance, making this rate very arbitrary.
MERS was detected in 2012, first in Saudi Arabia, before spreading further afield. In Qatar, 28 cases have been reported resulting in 7 deaths since 2012, particularly among people working with these camelids.
Is there a risk of a pandemic because of the World Cup?
According to Jean-Claude Manugerra, head of the Biological Emergency Response Unit at the Institut Pasteur interviewed in November 2022 on the subject, World Cup or not, a risk of epidemic is not on the agenda of the day :
“Only prolonged contact with animals or the consumption of poorly prepared or undercooked camel meat pose a real risk. The theory of contamination between humans remains possible, but very rare.” he explained to us.
Furthermore, the specialist added that “even the large crowds in the past, especially in Saudi Arabia during pilgrimages to Mecca, have never caused the contamination to explode”.
However, the health authorities of the countries that have issued emergency recommendations are worried about a combination of circumstances: in fact in Qatar, the World Cup coincided with a camel festival, which may pose a risk for tourists. . Although person-to-person transfer is rare, those who have traveled to high-risk areas should be aware of their close contacts as well as their symptoms.
What to do in case of return from Qatar?
For Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo, panic in this case of MERS is not necessary:
“It is not a new virus, and there is no reason to stigmatize Qatar: the discovery of MERS dates back to 2012 and according to what we know today, not only is it of a reservoir of virus on site, but in addition its mortality is greatly overestimated” he reassures.
However, the recommendations in case of return from vacation or travel apply here, as in any return from destinations abroad.
“In general, each time you return from a trip, when you have symptoms, fever, flu, you must consult and report to your doctor that you are returning from a travel area” he recalls.
A piece of advice that supporters will have to follow when setting foot in their country.