C228 Community Nursing Task 2
Jane A. Wildeman
Western Governors University

C228 Community Nursing Task 2

Introduction Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, or MERS-CoV, is still a relatively new virus first diagnosed in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Thorough investigation by international health officials traced the disease to the first-known human case in Jordan in April 2012, and it is believed this first case was transported from camels, possibly by drinking raw camel’s milk. ("About MERS," 2015) Much is still not known about the virus, but it is suspected to be spread by either direct contact or droplet form in human-to-human transport. It is believed the virus originated over forty years ago in bats and was passed to camels, and experts are still unsure how the virus passed from camels to humans. Yet, the virus in humans is identical to the virus in camels, causing concern that it doesn’t require mutation to be transmitted. As a result, WHO recommends pasteurization of camel milk and adequate cooking of camel meat before consumption. It is also recommended that anyone in contact with farm animals or camels in the effected countries use preventive hygiene measures, including good handwashing before and after exposure to animals. ("MERS-CoV," June 2015) Over 1600 cases of MERS-CoV have been reported to the WHO, with almost 600 deaths since September 2012. All cases that have occurred outside the Arabian Peninsula can be directly traced either to recent travel in the Arabian Peninsula, or close contact with someone who did. Since the virus’s discovery in humans, there has been no sign of community-acquired infection in large groups, including anyone traveling by air with infected persons. ("MERS-CoV," June 2015) Human-to-human transmission occurs under conditions of close contact, such as patient to caregiver or family member. Since its