Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (also known as MERS or MERS-CoV) is a rare but severe respiratory illness. It can start with a fever and cough, which can develop into pneumonia and breathing difficulties. MERS was first identified in 2012 in the Middle East and is most common in that region. The risk of infection with MERS to people in the UK is very low.
Symptoms of MERS
Symptoms include:
- fever
- cough
- difficulty breathing
- diarrhoea and vomiting
You should call your GP or NHS 111 if you have symptoms and believe you could have caught the infection – for instance, if you have recently been to the Middle East or have been in contact with someone with a confirmed infection.
Advice to travellers returning from the Middle East
If you develop a fever, cough or difficulty breathing within 14 days of returning from the Middle East, you should get medical advice.
Call NHS 111 or your GP.
Source: NHS
Comments are closed.