The first case of the deadly Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has been identified in a “man” in Indiana. The CDC is quick to say it isn’t highly contagious, but many paragraphs into the report we learn it is deadly and health officials have NO IDEA how it spreads.
They are tracking down those who traveled with the “man.”
From the Associated Press:
NEW YORK (AP) — Health officials confirmed the first case of an American infected with a mysterious virus that has sickened hundreds in the Middle East.
The man fell ill after flying to the U.S. late last week from Saudi Arabia where he was a health care worker.
He is hospitalized in good condition in northwest Indiana with Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Indiana health officials said Friday.
The virus is not highly contagious and this case “represents a very low risk to the broader, general public,” Dr. Anne Schuchat told reporters during a CDC briefing.
The federal agency plans to track down passengers he may have been in close contact with during his travels; it was not clear how many may have been exposed to the virus.
So far, 1/4th (at least) of those diagnosed with the disease have died.
Overall, at least 400 people have had the respiratory illness, and more than 100 people have died. All had ties to the Middle East region or to people who traveled there.
Experts said it was just a matter of time before MERS showed up in the U.S., as it has in Europe and Asia.
Contradicting themselves, here we learn it is lethal to 1/3 of those who get it. CDC doesn’t know how it spreads.
The MERS virus has been found in camels, but officials don’t know how it is spreading to humans. It can spread from person to person, but officials believe that happens only after close contact. Not all those exposed to the virus become ill.
But it appears to be unusually lethal – by some estimates, it has killed nearly a third of the people it sickened.
Beware the Arabian Peninsula and those who come out of it.
The CDC has issued no warnings about travel to countries involved in the outbreak. However, anyone who develops fever, cough or shortness of breath within two weeks of traveling in or near the Arabian Peninsula should see their doctor and mention their travel history.
By the way, Saudi Arabia is already the primary importer of student visas and mosques to America (but that is a story for another day).
Our earlier posts on MERS are here. And, check out our ‘health issues’ category with more on diseases, other medical problems, and the cost to taxpayers as a result of our wide open borders.