Deadly Mers virus diagnosed in Germany

Deadly Mers virus diagnosed in Germany

08/03/2015

In Lower Saxony, a 65-year-old man was diagnosed with the dangerous Mers virus. According to authorities, the patient returned from a trip from Abu Dhabi in early February and is now being treated in a clinic. This is the third known case of Mers disease in Germany.

Patient health is poor
A 65-year-old man from the Osnabrück region is suffering from the deadly coronavirus Mers, according to a message from the news agency dpa. As reported by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Health on Saturday in Hanover, the patient returned to Germany in early February on a holiday trip from Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates). Now he is being treated at an isolation ward in a clinic in Osnabrück. However, the ministry did not specify which hospital it is. The state of health of the man is bad, according to information from the German Press Agency. It is said that he is in an intensive care unit. According to the information Menchen from his environment are now under medical supervision.

Third known Mers case in Germany
It was also reported that this is the third known case of Mers disease in Germany. In Lower Saxony, the virus was detected for the first time. In March 2013, a 73-year-old Mers patient from the United Arab Emirates died in Munich. Another patient treated in Essen survived the dangerous illness. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 1,040 laboratory confirmed cases worldwide by 6 March 2015. About 40 percent of the infected died. Diseases are mainly reported in the Arabian Peninsula. The country most affected by Mers (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) is Saudi Arabia. Via travelers, the pathogen also reached the USA and European nations such as France, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria and Turkey. The virus was first identified in September 2012 in a patient with a severe respiratory infection.

No danger to the population
"For the population in this country there is no danger, "emphasized the Ministry." Usually, the disease begins with flu-like symptoms such as fever, coughing and shortness of breath. "For more severe cases, Mers can also lead to pneumonia or even kidney failure.The virus that similarity Sars virus is considered to be less infectious, but more likely to kill than many other infectious diseases. "There is no vaccine against the deadly disease."

Quick tests in suspected cases
After dpa information the man from Lower Saxony had already complained about complaints shortly after his return from vacation. The health service for the district and the city of Osnabrück is currently working with the hospital to identify the patient's contact persons. According to the information, quick tests should be carried out in case of suspicion. Since researchers also detected the Erregr in camels, when traveling to affected countries is recommended to avoid animal contacts. Health experts also advise to consider basic precautions, such as keeping distance from people with acute respiratory infections. In addition, hygiene measures such as regular hand washing and the abandonment of camel products are recommended. (Ad)