MERS can prevent controllable people from panicking

As of June 2, according to the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Welfare of Korea, the number of MERS patients in South Korea increased to 25, including 2 deaths and 2 cases of 3 infections. Medical experts said that China has a relatively complete prevention and control system for public health emergencies. Once a new outbreak of infectious diseases occurs, it will initiate a corresponding prevention and control mechanism to cut off the source of infection and maintain normal social life order. For MERS, short-term exposure in public places generally does not cause infection, and ordinary people do not need to panic.

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), a viral respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (MERS-CoV), was first discovered in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Coronavirus is a group of viruses that can cause disease in humans and animals. It can often cause humans to develop a variety of diseases ranging from the common cold to severe acute respiratory syndrome. According to the Beijing News report on June 2, China has developed a number of MERS therapeutic antibody and peptide drugs, but both are at the laboratory level, and the next step will be to enter clinical research.

In recent days, as the nation’s first case of imported Middle East respiratory syndrome was diagnosed, the WeChat circle of friends was swiped by the word “MERS”. For a time, all kinds of articles about Middle East respiratory syndrome are flying all over the world. Which fly and which are pure flicker? China Health News Channel combed the relevant information for the netizens to solve MERS.

Question one: The mortality rate of MERS is high?

In various articles circulating in the circle of friends, many use the "high mortality rate" to define MERS and give out seemingly authoritative data. Is that really the case?

According to the official website of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, the mortality rate of Middle East respiratory syndrome is about 27%. Typical cases often show symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Pneumonia is often found during examinations. There are reports of gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea in the clinic. Severe cases can lead to respiratory failure and require mechanical ventilation and supportive care in the intensive care unit. In some cases, organ failure can occur, especially renal failure and septic shock.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, as of May 31, a total of 1149 people in more than 20 countries worldwide have been diagnosed with the MERS virus, of whom 431 have died. Wang Linghang, deputy director of the Beijing Ditan Hospital Infection Center, said that many cases are in areas where the medical level is underdeveloped. The current mortality rate does not reflect the level of mortality after comprehensive treatment.

Question two: MERS contagious?

According to official information from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, MERS can be passed down from person to person, but only within a limited range.

302 Qin Enqiang, deputy director of the Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases at the hospital, told China Health News that according to the current situation, the virus seems to be transmitted through close contact. This often occurs among family members, patients, and health care workers. If no effective protection is provided, medical personnel are at high risk.

Qin Enqiang introduced that it is generally considered that the spread of this virus among humans does not seem easy, unless there is close contact, such as when the patient is not protected. In hospital-based aggregative cases, interpersonal transmission is easier, especially when infection prevention and control measures are insufficient. So far, there is no evidence of sustained intra-community transmission.

Qin Enqiang told China Health News that the continuous communication ability of MERS is relatively limited, and brief contact in public places will not cause infection. Normal people need not panic. At the same time, China has a relatively complete prevention and control system for public health emergencies. Once a new outbreak of infectious diseases occurs, it will initiate a corresponding prevention and control mechanism to control the spread of infectious sources, cut off the route of transmission, protect vulnerable groups, and maintain a normal society. Life order.

Question three: Coronavirus is really scary?

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a new type of coronavirus. Many netizens wondered. What exactly is coronavirus? Is it just as scary that coronaviruses are circulating on the Internet?

Qin Enqiang introduced that the coronavirus in the human body was first isolated in the United Kingdom in 1965. The virus was named after its crown-shaped protrusions on the surface. Coronavirus is a group of viruses that can cause disease in humans and animals. It can often cause humans to develop a variety of diseases ranging from the common cold to severe acute respiratory syndrome. The novel coronavirus, MERS-CoV, is the "culprit" of Middle East respiratory syndrome.

According to medical experts, the current situation is that the MERS virus is less infectious and transmission efficiency is low, which is conducive to prevention and control at the source.

How can Beijing monitor, detect, diagnose and treat MERS?

Beijing established a surveillance system for MERS cases three years ago and has the laboratory detection capabilities of the MERS virus. It is understood that dozens of network laboratories in the major hospitals in Beijing and the city's two levels of disease control and control departments have already possessed detection capabilities. Once patients found to be infected with the new type of coronavirus, they will be tested immediately.

In accordance with the requirements of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, if there is an outbreak, Beijing Ditan Hospital and Beijing You'an Hospital will receive patients at fixed points. A person in charge of the Ditan Hospital stated to the China Health News that as a comprehensive hospital featuring infectious diseases, the hospital had prepared a plan when an outbreak occurred abroad three years ago. The hospital has the ability to treat many patients including MERS at any time. Infectious diseases. The responsible person stated that what the hospital is currently doing is thinking preparation and knowledge training. The hospital has experienced the tests of various epidemics and has accumulated certain experience. The public need not have panic.

The China Health News Channel on June 2 was informed by the Beijing Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau website that Beijing will further strengthen and refine the Beijing Port's Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic prevention and control measures, such as setting up eye-catching text prompts and requiring inbound travellers to actively report their outbreaks. A history of national travel, patient contact history, and disease symptoms occurred.

Dealing with MERS for prevention is the key

As of June 2, South Korea's MERS patients increased to 25, 2 deaths, and 2 cases of three infections. Prior to this, China and South Korea signed the China-Korea Free Trade Agreement, which is the free trade agreement that China has so far signed with the most extensive coverage of foreign trade and deals with the largest amount of trade in the country. Analysis of industry experts will encourage South Korean tourism and cosmetics. It may be cheaper. When the public goes to South Korea to enjoy preferential treatment, how can the prevention of diseases be done?

Qin Enqiang told the China New Zealand Health Channel that if someone develops symptoms of fever and respiratory illness within 14 days after they have traveled to the affected area, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible. People who have had close contact with diagnosed patients, such as staying within 2 meters, or in a room, or in the care area for a long period of time, have direct contact with infected secretions, without wearing the required protection. The equipment should be medically observed for 14 days. The time begins with the patient's last contact and immediately seeks medical attention once the symptoms appear.

In addition, individuals must maintain good hygiene practices, including washing their hands before and after contact with livestock and avoid contact with sick animals. Avoid unprocessed or unfamiliar livestock foods. People with diabetes, kidney disease, chronic lung disease, and people with a defective immune system are at high risk for severe MERS. More attention should be paid to prevention.