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MERS: More Deadly but Less Infectious than COVID-19
MERS, or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, is a relatively new disease that was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Since then, there have been 2,200 reported cases and 939 deaths.
The majority of cases have been reported in the Arabian Peninsula, but it was also seen in the UK in 2018. MERS is part of the coronavirus family, which can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
MERS is more deadly but less contagious than its sister disease, Covid-19. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that MERS cases have decreased significantly since the Covid-19 outbreak began in 2020. They have suggested that the Covid-19 virus or vaccine may provide additional protection against MERS. Additionally, virus prevention measures such as wearing masks and maintaining social distance during quarantine may also be behind the decline in MERS cases.
The WHO has previously listed MERS as one of the diseases that have the potential to cause a pandemic, but for which there is no specific treatment or vaccine, alongside the mysterious “disease X.”
As research and understanding of these diseases continue to evolve, it is important to stay informed and follow recommendations from health authorities. Follow NTV on social media to stay updated on the latest developments.
