MERS FAQ: What You Need to Know
"It's not that easy to transmit," says Peter Hotez, MD, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. "It requires very close contact. That's why health care workers bear the brunt."
Where did this virus come from?
Public health officials believe it came from an animal but aren't yet sure. The virus has been found in camels in Qatar, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. It's also been found in a bat in Saudi Arabia. Officials can't say for sure if camels or bats are sources of the virus. For now, they say that camels, bats, and other animals may play a role in where the virus comes from and how it spreads.
Is there a vaccine?
No vaccine is available. Hotez says several are in development, though.
Is anyone more susceptible to the virus?
The virus is more dangerous for people with pre-existing conditions or problems with their immune systems.
What can travelers do?
The CDC says people shouldn’t change their travel plans because of MERS. But it does suggest that travelers watch their health, wash their hands often, and avoid people who are sick.
Adults should help young children wash their hands thoroughly. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a good substitute if soap and water aren't available.
People who recently went to countries where MERS has been found should watch their health when they return. If the typical symptoms -- cough, shortness of breath, and fever -- show up within 14 days of travel to a country that has had MERS cases, travelers should contact their doctor and discuss their recent trip.
What about wearing a face mask?
Health care workers and anyone taking care of someone who is sick should wear a mask, says Robert Glatter, MD, an emergency doctor at Lenox Hill Hospital. That includes anyone taking care of someone with MERS at home.
As for everyday travelers, "the problem is we don't know enough about how MERS Corona is transmitted to know if a face mask is going to make a difference," Hotez says.